Imagine a teenager, struggling with addiction, forced to rely on incontinence pads or a bucket by their bed just to get through the night. This isn’t a scene from a dystopian novel—it’s the stark reality for some young people in the UK, as revealed by the country’s first specialist ketamine clinic. But here’s where it gets even more alarming: ketamine addiction is causing severe bladder problems in teenagers, and many are too embarrassed to seek help. This is the part most people miss—the devastating physical toll of a drug often dismissed as 'recreational.'
At Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, medical professionals have launched the UK’s first ketamine clinic to address a surge in urological issues linked to the drug. Harriet Corbett, a consultant paediatric urologist, paints a grim picture: 'Some of our patients start wetting the bed or find it too difficult to get to the bathroom at night. They end up using incontinence products or keeping a bucket by their bed.' And this is the part that’s truly heartbreaking: 'Many of them reach a point where they no longer care where they go, because the urgency overrides their desire for privacy,' Corbett explains. 'I suspect more are incontinent than are willing to admit.'
Most patients at the clinic are just 14 or 15 years old, with many reporting ketamine use for one to two years—meaning some may have started as young as 12. The drug’s excessive use causes ketamine and its breakdown products to linger in the bladder, damaging the lining and muscle tissue. This leads to inflammation, a shrinking bladder, and an overwhelming urge to urinate frequently. In extreme cases, it can result in kidney problems or even the need for bladder removal. 'We need to sound the alarm on this,' Corbett urges. 'If we can get them to stop using, we might save them from a lifetime of medical interventions. There’s a point of no return.'
But here’s the controversial part: While a 2023 NHS England survey found that 0.9% of 15-year-olds had used ketamine (up from 0.4% in 2013), medical professionals suspect the actual numbers are far higher. Prof Rachel Isba, who runs the clinic alongside Corbett, notes, 'There are likely many more young people out there with bladder symptoms or unexplained stomach pain due to ketamine use, but the connection isn’t always made.' She adds, 'Most GPs and paediatricians in the UK have never seen a child who’s used ketamine, so they don’t know to ask.'
The clinic was born out of a growing crisis—what started as a 'slow trickle' of cases in 2023 escalated to a 'handful' in 2024 and then snowballed in 2025. 'It’s gone a bit crazy,' Corbett admits. The clinic combines her expertise in childhood bladder issues with Isba’s knowledge of addiction and rehabilitation, offering a unique approach to this complex problem.
And this is where it gets even more complicated: The reasons behind the surge in ketamine use remain unclear. Isba suggests that young people may start using the drug socially but become addicted, often using it at home in their bedrooms. Many patients have experienced childhood trauma or have neurodivergent conditions, particularly ADHD. 'They tell us ketamine gives them a break from their busy brains or a moment of rest,' Isba explains. 'They want to belong, so they feel pressured to participate. We’ve heard stories of young people restructuring their entire day to avoid being around others using ketamine.'
Another disturbing trend is emerging: some children are using ketamine to alleviate the very bladder pain it causes. 'It’s a vicious cycle,' Corbett warns. 'They turn to ketamine for pain relief, which only worsens the problem.'
This crisis raises critical questions: Are we doing enough to educate young people about the dangers of ketamine? How can we better support those already struggling with addiction? And what role does societal pressure to fit in play in this growing epidemic? What’s your take? Do you think ketamine addiction among teenagers is being overlooked, or is this a problem we’re already addressing effectively? Share your thoughts in the comments—this conversation needs to happen.
