UK's First Specialist Ketamine Clinic Addresses Teen Bladder Damage Crisis
Medics at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool have launched the United Kingdom's inaugural specialist NHS clinic dedicated to treating ketamine addiction in young people. This urgent intervention responds to a surge in urology problems linked to the drug, with children as young as 12 experiencing severe bladder damage, including incontinence and the need for extreme measures like using buckets by their beds at night.
Severe Bladder Symptoms and Daily Struggles
Harriet Corbett, a consultant paediatric urologist at the clinic, reports that patients, primarily aged 14 to 15, often resort to incontinence pads or buckets due to an overwhelming and frequent urge to urinate. "Many reach a point where privacy is overridden by necessity," Corbett explained, noting that actual incontinence rates may be higher than reported. Excessive ketamine use allows the drug and its byproducts to linger in the bladder, damaging the lining and muscle tissue, leading to inflammation, reduced bladder capacity, and in extreme cases, surgical removal or kidney issues.
Rising Ketamine Use Among Young People
While a 2023 NHS England survey indicated that 0.9% of 15-year-olds had used ketamine, up from 0.4% in 2013, medical professionals suspect underreporting. Prof Rachel Isba, a consultant in paediatric public health medicine co-running the clinic, emphasised the need for healthcare providers to specifically inquire about ketamine use, as many GPs and paediatricians remain unaware of its prevalence. The clinic was established after a gradual increase in cases, starting with a "slow trickle" in 2023 and escalating significantly by 2025.
Underlying Causes and Vicious Cycles
The reasons for the surge in ketamine use are not fully understood, but Isba highlighted factors such as social pressure, childhood trauma, and neurodivergence like ADHD. "Young people describe ketamine as a break from their busy minds," she said, adding that some alter their daily routines to avoid exposure. Alarmingly, some patients begin using ketamine to alleviate bladder pain, creating a dangerous downward spiral of addiction and worsening health.
Call for Awareness and Early Intervention
Corbett stressed the importance of raising awareness to prevent long-term suffering. "We need to shout loudly about this to save them from a miserable life of medical interventions," she urged, noting that recovery becomes impossible beyond a certain point. The clinic combines urological expertise with addiction management, aiming to refer young people to rehabilitation services and address both physical and psychological aspects of ketamine dependency.
