From Ketamine Hell to Hope: Thomas Delaney's Journey of Recovery and Advocacy
Thomas Delaney, now 39, has spent the past seven years abstinent from drugs, but his path to recovery was fraught with pain and struggle. Growing up, he internalised family conflicts, leading to suicidal ideations from a young age. "I thought I was useless," he recalls, believing his parents' arguments were his fault. This early trauma set the stage for a descent into addiction that would nearly cost him his life.
The Descent into Addiction
Delaney's addiction issues began in his teens, escalating through his 20s. He first tried cocaine at 17 behind a Greggs in Barnsley town centre, immediately drawn to the feeling of connection it provided. However, his life spiralled as he lost jobs due to drug use, including one incident where he was fired on the spot for having white powder around his nose. After a brief stint in Ireland for a fresh start, he returned to England, where ketamine became his drug of choice.
In Barnsley, a hotspot for ketamine use according to recent data, Delaney moved in with friends who dealt drugs. He started using ketamine to "take me down" after cocaine highs, despite initially despising its effects. The cheap cost and dissociative properties made it popular, especially during stressful times like the pandemic lockdowns. "Most of them really struggled through lockdown," he says of young users today.
The Physical and Emotional Toll
Chronic ketamine use severely damaged Delaney's bladder, causing him to pee blood constantly and leading to frequent hospital visits. At his lowest point, he weighed just 38kg and lived in a field after selling his car for a drug debt. Traumatic events, such as a man with a gun raiding his home, compounded his struggles. Despite brief periods of sobriety in Ireland, he relapsed upon returning to Barnsley, even securing a corporate job in education while secretly using ketamine to evade drug tests.
The Turning Point
An argument with his mother became the catalyst for change. By then, his addiction was so severe he had to urinate in a bucket at her home. "I knew that if I was ever going to get better, I couldn't run away," he says. In November 2018, at age 32, he entered a rehabilitation centre in Glasgow, chosen partly for its en suite rooms due to his bladder issues. The centre, which didn't typically treat ketamine addiction, was challenging, with some staff dismissing him as "not a proper junkie." Yet, with support, he achieved sobriety.
Life After Rehab
After rehab, Delaney's life transformed. An article he wrote went viral, leading to features in publications and invitations to speak in parliament. He now works with organisations like the police, NHS, and National Crime Agency, advocating for substance abuse prevention. "I want to normalise that people can get better," he emphasises. He graduated with a first-class degree in community education and is pursuing a master's, while also becoming a father three years ago, finding purpose in his family.
Broader Implications and Advocacy
Delaney stresses that recovery isn't a magic wand; he knows many from his rehab who have died. He calls for systemic changes, arguing that poverty and mental health issues must be addressed to reduce drug abuse. "Unless the environment is changing, what's the point?" he questions. His story underscores the need for rehabs, support workers, and economic interventions to tackle addiction at its roots.
Reflecting on his journey, Delaney admits he still struggles to feel deserving of love, but being a father gives him hope. "No matter how much you think you've fucked everything up, you can always change it," he says, offering a message of resilience to others battling addiction.
