Is Ketamine Abuse on the Rise in Young People?

Ketamine misuse can have a serious impact, including potential damage to the liver and bladder and a risk of mental health issues.

The UK Government has recently launched a new campaign specifically aimed at young people to raise awareness of the dangers of ketamine, as well as counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes.

But is this a moral panic, or is ketamine abuse actually rising among young people? We’ll take a look at the measurable evidence of any increase, potential causes, risks, and paths to help those affected…

Is Ketamine Abuse on the Rise in Young People? Current Data and Trends

There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence and press reports suggesting that ketamine use is on the rise, but there are also a number of measurable sources suggesting that ketamine use has massively increased over the past decade or so, including among younger people.

An anonymised 2023 survey of more than 13,000 secondary school children from 185 schools across England found that 11% of 15-year-olds said they had been offered ketamine at some point. The same study, conducted for NHS England, suggested the use of ketamine among school children had more than doubled over a decade, from 0.4% in 2013 to 0.9% in 2023.

Experts have described ketamine misuse among young people as a national problem, pointing out that 6% of under25s in treatment services report ketamine problems, compared to less than 1% in 2015. The government reported official figures at the start of this year, suggesting that Ketamine use in young people, aged 16-24 years, has increased by 231% since March 2013.

There is no doubt that ketamine abuse among young people is a serious problem and one that has hugely increased over recent years. There may be some evidence that it has plateaued, however. According to the latest Drug misuse in England and Wales report, the year ending March 2024 saw ‘no statistically significant change’ in overall ketamine use among 16-24-year-olds compared with the previous year.

However, there was also a rise in the number of young people reporting problems with and seeking treatment for ketamine, from 512 in 2021 to 2022 to 1,201 (8.4%) in the year ending March 2024. That meant more children and young people reported problems with ketamine than with cocaine for the first time.

Why Ketamine May Appeal to Younger Users

There are a number of potential reasons why ketamine may appeal to younger users. It is cheaper than some other substances, such as cocaine, and is frequently more accessible.

One local authority task group noted that the dissociative effects of ketamine could be attractive for children trying to deal with or blot out problems in their lives, particularly those coping with trauma. It also noted that members of its safeguarding teams had encountered young people who had been offered ketamine by adults looking to exploit them.

Not every young person using ketamine is in such a position, though. Peer pressure can play a part, as can the image of ketamine as a party drug, although there has also been a shift framing ketamine as a casual or everyday drug to be used outside club and party contexts.

There may also be a perception that ketamine is not harmful and a lack of understanding about the potential risks.

Risks, Harms, and Long-Term Consequences for Young Users

While many young users seem unaware of the dangers, ketamine can be very harmful to both physical and mental health.

Short-term negative effects and side effects can include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Difficulty speaking
• Numbness
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Anxiety

Ketamine may also cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate. In rare cases, some people have experienced seizures.

The dissociative effect of ketamine can lead to an experience known colloquially as being in a ‘K-hole’ and some people can find this traumatic.

In the longer term, ketamine can cause damage to the kidneys and bladder. Ketamine bladder syndrome is a painful condition that may require ongoing treatment. It can cause incontinence and lead to ulcers in the bladder. This can seriously affect the quality of life for any young person.

A review of existing studies also found that chronic ketamine abuse was linked with ‘long-term cognitive impairment, mood disorders, psychotic and dissociative symptoms’. It added that prolonged ketamine use may ‘negatively affect brain structure and functioning’.

Young people may be more vulnerable, particularly to the psychological and neurological effects, as younger brains are still developing. There may be a greater risk of developing an addiction and/or moving on to polydrug use – using more than one substance at the same time.

Barriers to Recognising and Responding to Ketamine Abuse in Youth

Ketamine misuse may face stigma and a general lack of awareness among parents, schools and youth services. There may also be a lack of specific treatment resources or understanding of ketamine addiction compared to other substances, such as alcohol and opioids.

Ketamine Misuse in Young People: What Early Action, Prevention, and Support Look Like

There can be a lack of awareness, particularly about the risks involved in ketamine misuse, among young people. Alongside the government campaign already mentioned, education at school and projects like youth outreach programmes can help to raise awareness of the dangers associated with ketamine use.

Screening and early intervention in health or mental health services could also help minimise harms, along with measures such as family support and counselling delivered in a confidential and non-judgemental way.

How Action Rehab Can Help

Action Rehab can help you to find the right treatment programmes and facilities for problems with ketamine or other addictive substances. These can include detox and full drug rehab programmes with tailored options for young people.

Ketamine use among younger people has increased over recent years, and so has the number of young people seeking help for problems with this drug. If you or someone you care about is struggling with ketamine use, don’t wait to get help. Contact Action Rehab for confidential advice and youth-friendly treatment options.

Posted on Friday, October 24th, 2025 at 2:14 pm in Addiction.