How do we support ketamine users when their needs are so different?

Key Points:

• There has been a significant rise in young people, mostly aged 18 to 24, seeking rehab for ketamine use, with referrals to the Kaleidoscope detox facility increasing from 2 in 2021 to 112 in 2024.
• Ketamine use among youth is causing severe health issues, including bladder damage leading to incontinence, memory problems, chronic pain, and kidney failure, with harm occurring more rapidly than from alcohol or Class A drugs.
• Traditional drug rehab services, designed for older adults, are struggling to meet the complex medical and psychological needs of younger users, prompting new research and adaptation of support services.
• Personal stories, such as Megan Harmes and Mark, highlight the devastating physical, mental, and social impacts of ketamine addiction, including loss of employment, family estrangement, and severe health deterioration.
• Early intervention and education in schools appear to be reducing new ketamine use, but relapse rates remain high; peer support programs like those at Kaleidoscope have been identified as effective in reducing stigma and aiding recovery.