Ketamine Crisis: Young Adults Face Severe Bladder Damage from Recreational Use
Experts warn of rising ketamine abuse causing painful, often irreversible bladder issues in young people.
Urology departments across England and Wales are reporting a alarming surge in cases of ketamine-related bladder problems, particularly among 16- to 24-year-olds. Specialists describe the trend as “skyrocketing,” with many patients presenting symptoms that were once rare in young, healthy individuals. Chronic recreational use of the dissociative drug is now a major contributor to hospital admissions, driven by its popularity as a cheap party substance often perceived as harmless.
Ketamine-induced cystitis, commonly known as “ketamine bladder,” leads to severe lower urinary tract symptoms including intense pain, frequent urination, urgency, incontinence, blood in the urine, and inflammation. In serious cases, the bladder wall thickens, scars, and shrinks dramatically, sometimes requiring surgical removal and urinary diversion. Experts note that frequent high-dose use—often several times a week over months or years—exacerbates the damage, with some users experiencing symptoms after just a few months of heavy consumption.
Healthcare professionals emphasize that the issue has escalated since the COVID-19 period, when many young people turned to ketamine as a coping mechanism. Urologists are seeing patients in their teens and early 20s who began using during lockdowns and now face lifelong consequences, including chronic pain and potential kidney involvement. Warnings from bodies like the British Association of Urological Surgeons highlight that up to 30% of regular users develop urinary issues, yet many delay seeking help.
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This growing public health concern underscores the dangers of underestimating ketamine’s risks beyond its short-term effects. Authorities and experts urge greater awareness, early intervention, and screening for drug use in young patients with unexplained urinary symptoms to prevent irreversible harm.
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