A shocking revelation has emerged from the UK's first specialist ketamine clinic, highlighting a disturbing trend among teenagers. The impact of ketamine addiction on young lives is profound, with some experiencing severe bladder issues, even resorting to incontinence pads and buckets by their beds at night.
Medics at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool have established this groundbreaking clinic in response to a surge in urology problems linked to ketamine addiction. Consultant paediatric urologist, Harriet Corbett, sheds light on the issue, stating, "Some of our patients start wetting the bed or find going to the bathroom at night is actually too difficult, so they opt for incontinence products or a bucket by the bed."
But here's where it gets controversial... Corbett suspects that many more patients are incontinent than are willing to admit it. Most of their patients are aged 14 to 15, with some reporting ketamine use as early as 12 years old. Excessive ketamine use can lead to bladder damage due to the drug's prolonged presence in the bladder, causing inflammation and muscle tissue damage.
The consequences are severe, with frequent urgent urination being the primary symptom. In extreme cases, it can lead to bladder removal or kidney problems. "We need to raise awareness because if we can encourage them to stop using ketamine, we might save them from a life of medical interventions," Corbett emphasizes. "There's a point of no return."
The lack of research on ketamine use among young people in the UK is concerning. A 2023 NHS England survey of over 13,000 students found that 0.9% of 15-year-olds had used ketamine, up from 0.4% in 2013, and 11% had been offered the drug. However, medical professionals fear the actual numbers could be higher.
Prof. Rachel Isba, who runs the clinic alongside Corbett, highlights the need for specific questioning about ketamine use, as most GPs and paediatricians in the UK have never encountered a child using ketamine. The clinic's establishment was prompted by a growing number of cases, starting as a "slow trickle" in 2023 and escalating in 2025. "The numbers were increasing, and I began to realize this could be a significant problem. It's now on everyone's radar because it's snowballed," Corbett adds.
The clinic combines Corbett's expertise in bladder issues with Isba's knowledge of addiction and rehabilitation. The reasons behind the surge in ketamine use are unclear, but Isba suggests it could be a social phenomenon, with young people becoming addicted and using it at home. Many patients have experienced childhood trauma and neurodivergence, particularly ADHD. "Ketamine provides a break from their busy minds or a rest," Isba explains. "They want to belong and feel pressured to participate."
And this is the part most people miss... Another concern is that children are using ketamine to alleviate the pain caused by their bladder issues, creating a vicious cycle. "When they experience severe bladder pain, some find that ketamine is the only helpful pain relief, leading to a downward spiral," Corbett warns.
This issue demands our attention and action. What are your thoughts on this emerging crisis? Do you think enough is being done to address ketamine addiction among young people? Feel free to share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.
