The Rise & Ubiquity of Ketamine In Society: A Wellbeing-Focused Perspective

Illegal drug use is not a new concern for the wellbeing of individuals or society at large. What does change is the types of substances that are trending. This can impact the health outcomes and long-term repercussions for users, as well as the broader effects and costs we collectively incur.

Ketamine is reaching a critical mass in terms of its ubiquity in the UK, replacing previous ‘party drugs’ as a key concern for law enforcement and substance abuse campaigners. Here’s a look at where it stands today, why it is a danger to wellbeing, and what options are available to treat addiction.

The Nation’s Growing Ketamine Issue

Recent reporting has raised alarms about how commonplace ketamine is across the country, and especially among youngsters.

The BBC reported on its popularity with Gen Z club-goers and house party attendees, with 3 times as many under-24s taking the drug today compared with 2016.

This is exacerbated by the fact that it is still only a Class B drug, meaning it carries lesser punishments and restrictions than Class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The government is undergoing a consultation on whether to reclassify ketamine in light of its rise to prominence, citing the fact that almost 300,000 people aged between 16 and 59 admitted to using it within the last 12 months.

What’s more, ketamine’s popularity is in part fuelled by its use in so-called drug cocktails, made up of an often random and inconsistent collection of different illegal substances sold by dealers to unsuspecting users who do not know the ingredients. In short, the dangers are significant and growing, and it’s the youngest people who are most vulnerable.

The Health Fallout

The dangers of illegal, unprescribed ketamine are multifaceted. Like many controlled substances, it is potentially addictive because it creates psychological dependence in long-term users. Withdrawal symptoms have to be carefully managed during ketamine detox to minimise consequences, including amplified anxiety and, in the most extreme cases, psychosis.

Ketamine abuse is also associated with damaging the bladder and kidneys of users, often irreversibly, which is why withdrawal can also cause abdominal pain and continence issues.

But what’s actually considered ‘long-term’ in the context of ketamine use? Well, typically, anyone who takes it regularly for more than 6 months falls into this category, so it is not something that requires years of addiction to cause significant physical repercussions.

Aside from the psychological dependency and organ damage of non-prescribed ketamine use, there are also mental health negatives that create wellbeing concerns. It’s a drug that attracts users in part because of its disassociative qualities, meaning that people may seek it out to deal with other untreated disorders they’re suffering from, such as anxiety. Then, when they go through periods of detoxing, many will find that the underlying symptoms re-emerge, and are joined by others, such as despondency and difficulty concentrating.

So, ketamine being taken more widely as a recreational drug is damaging both in the short and the long term. Users may numb themselves in response to their own mental health struggles or personal circumstances, only to find that this self-medicated approach comes with its own serious side effects, some of which are irreversible.

The Hopeful Path Forward

There are signs that the ketamine problem facing the UK at the moment is being taken seriously. Aside from the government’s consultation on potential reclassification to Class A, the British Medical Journal also provided its own guidance on what’s needed to prevent this spiralling into a national wellbeing crisis. This includes pursuing awareness campaigns to target misuse by providing people with more information about the dangers of the drug, and carrying out additional research to understand how to treat addiction.

There are several dedicated detox and rehabilitation facilities capable of taking on those struggling with ketamine abuse. Additionally, experts are calling for steps to be taken so that those who seek out ketamine to treat mental health issues that aren’t adequately addressed by the healthcare system as it stands don’t have to resort to non-prescribed substances.

It’s also worth examining the legitimate use of ketamine as prescribed by medical professionals. It is helpful as a treatment option for certain types of depression, chronic pain, and even PTSD, so there’s a fine line to tread between demonising it and recognising its usefulness in the right contexts.

The Bottom Line

Anyone who is struggling with ketamine abuse and addiction needs to recognise that the stigma around this substance shouldn’t stop them from seeking professional help.

Talking to someone you trust is a good starting point, as your wellbeing is not always something you can improve on your own. The first step may be the hardest, but it’s a journey worth taking, and the more momentum you build, the easier it will become.