Posted by Martin Preston
on 09 Jan 2025
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Call Us: 0330 111 2015 
Call Us: 0330 111 2015 
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Last month (Wednesday 18th December), I was invited to ITV Studios in MediaCity to speak about the concerning rise in ketamine addiction, particularly among young people in Manchester, for ITV Granada Reports’ fourth and final item on this growing issue.
I appreciated having the opportunity to speak with Presenters Gamal Fahnbulleh and Katie Walderman about this subject, what we’re seeing at Delamere, and to discuss what support is available for those addicted to ketamine, and their loved ones.
If you’d like to watch the full interview, please head over to our YouTube channel by clicking here.
During the programme, ITV reported on the recent tests conducted by Professor Robert Ralphs and Dr Oliver Sutcliffe from Manchester Metropolitan University, which revealed that ketamine in Manchester is being mixed with xylazine, another powerful tranquiliser.
In their published Greater Manchester trends focus report, which centred around ketamine, Prof. Ralphs and Dr Sutcliffe told me how routine samples were collected from drug boxes in city centre bars and clubs ahead of ParkLife festival, and then again just before Pride in August, both of which included samples that were found to have xylazine mixed in with ketamine.
The report focused on how ketamine has moved beyond a ‘harmless party drug’ to one now regularly used by younger, school aged children and for other motives such as self-medicating anxiety, childhood trauma, to unwind or chillout at the end of the day in a way that more traditionally alcohol or cannabis would be used.
It means that people in their late teens or early 20s are presenting with Tier 4 treatment needs and urological issues, such as bladder damage that needs corrective surgery.
Referenced in the report, xylazine is “a substance used in veterinary medicine known to cause sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation”.
When taken by human beings, it lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, and overall consciousness, and it has been linked to deaths. In the UK, there have been at least 16 cases of xylazine reported to coroners since 2022.
The sample testing that is taking place at MMU has confirmed that ketamine being sold in the North West is not pure, and is being cut with other substances.
According to Dr Sutcliffe, the concentration of this so-called ‘zombie drug’ in the ketamine samples is ‘alarmingly high’, who then has described young people taking this type of ketamine as playing ‘Russian roulette’.
This behaviour is not a surprise to us at Delamere from what we have seen this year.
At Delamere, we’ve seen a huge recent spike in the number of enquiries and admissions for people seeking treatment for ketamine addiction.
Ketamine was once a popular recreational drug in the UK in the 1990s, mostly associated with the raving and underground dance scene.
Historically, ketamine use was used as a secondary substance to alcohol or cocaine dependency, and therefore acted as addiction transfer, or “cross addiction”.
This year, there has been a large increase with ketamine addiction being the primary reason for guests attending Delamere, with numbers doubling in the last six months alone.
In just two or three clicks on social media, ketamine can be delivered to your front door. This increased accessibility of illegal substances has led to a rise in people becoming dependent on the drug.
The price of ketamine is considerably lower than other popular drugs, as cheap as £20, making it one of the most accessible illegal substances for young people.
The MMU study found that young people are turning to ketamine for self medication, to ease anxiety or lasting effects of adverse childhood trauma.
According to the latest Government figures, almost 331,000 adults have been in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services from April 2023 to March 2024, which is a seven per cent increase from last year.
This is the highest number of adults in treatment in the UK for 15 years, and ketamine use and addiction is one of the reasons for these numbers.
Since 2016, ketamine use in England alone has doubled in under a decade.
It feels like the UK is moving towards a ketamine epidemic.
There are several signs and symptoms to look out for. Ketamine users will begin to experience bladder issues after a prolonged period of time, which is one that is most associated with this type of addiction.
This is known as Ketamine Bladder Syndrome, and can be mistaken for Urinary Tract Infections by healthcare professionals. This causes severe abdominal pains known as ‘K cramps’.
Other symptoms include:
It is important to confront a loved one that you think is struggling with ketamine addiction, but this has to be done in the right way.
Doing research to educate yourself on addiction and possible treatment options before speaking to the person is crucial, to allow for a calm and productive conversation.
Speaking to a loved one about ketamine addiction can be difficult, so addressing the issue in a disarming, non confrontational way is key. Trying to remove emotions like anger or frustration from the conversation will create a safe space for them to speak.
Importantly, reassure your loved one of your continual support and that addiction recovery is possible.
Since my interview, the Home Office has announced that it is considering reclassifying ketamine as a Class A drug and is taking expert advice.
Ketamine was upgraded from being Class C in 2014 due to the growing evidence of its harmful effects. The record number of adults, and children, who now access and take this drug will likely result in ketamine being upgraded.
Delamere sees this as a wholly positive thing for those battling with this addiction, and their families. It is also encouraging to see that the UK Government is acknowledging the dangers of ketamine and the increasingly widespread nature of people taking this drug. We will be observing updates on this with interest.
Delamere offers a four phase ketamine addiction treatment programme that is individualised and centred on holistic care.
The Stop, Start, Grow, Bloom treatment model will provide the tools needed for recovery, treating the whole person rather than the symptoms they present with.
During the Stop phase, the physical aspects of addiction will be addressed. The Delamere medical team is present 24/7 to ensure a safe withdrawal.
The Start and Grow phases identify the root causes of addiction and build the toolbox to return back to everyday life.
Bloom is Delamere’s aftercare phase, offering weekly check-ins for the first 12 weeks after your stay, to help all guests to grow beyond addiction.
Martin created Delamere in order to provide exemplary care in first class facilities. Find out more about Martin on our team page.
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