Urology departments across the UK are approaching breaking point as hospital admissions linked to ketamine abuse have surged dramatically, with doctors warning that young patients are suffering permanent bladder damage from a drug many still wrongly believe to be harmless.
Ketamine, a class B dissociative drug used medically for pain relief and sedation, has become increasingly popular as a recreational substance, particularly among young people. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that although overall usage dipped slightly last year, ketamine use remains historically high.
The proportion of people reporting ketamine use in the past month has risen by more than 250% since 2015, representing the largest growth of any illicit drug over that period. Alongside hallucinogens such as magic mushrooms, ketamine is one of the few substances whose popularity has continued to grow steadily over the past decade.
Hospitals see surge in bladder damage cases
Medical specialists say the rise in ketamine use is being felt most acutely in urology departments, where chronic misuse is causing severe and sometimes irreversible damage to the bladder and urinary tract. Patients are increasingly presenting with pain, incontinence, bleeding and long-term loss of bladder function.
Alison Downey, a consultant urologist in South Yorkshire, said admissions linked to ketamine abuse have risen to levels that hospitals are struggling to manage. She warned that services are not equipped to cope with the scale of the problem.
“We’re already stretched incredibly thin, and this massive increase is something we’re simply not resourced for,” she said. “Although it causes urological problems, ketamine abuse is fundamentally an addiction issue, and we don’t have the tools to address the root cause.”
Barnsley identified as local hotspot
Downey described Barnsley as a particular hotspot, with emergency attendances rising sharply in a short period. In 2021, the town recorded 11 ketamine-related A&E visits across the entire year. Between January and May this year alone, that figure has already reached 50.
She said many of the patients being treated are teenagers or young adults, some still of school age, who began using ketamine during the Covid lockdowns as a coping mechanism for stress and isolation.
“In under-16 drug services, we hear of children pooling pocket money to buy ketamine, taking small amounts in school toilets,” she said. “That is absolutely frightening.”
Delayed damage often irreversible
Nadir Osman, a consultant urological surgeon in Sheffield, said ketamine-related admissions have “skyrocketed” nationwide, with many users unaware of the long-term consequences.
“Ketamine appears deceptively safe at first because side effects don’t show immediately,” he said. “But over time it damages the bladder, liver and urinary tract. By the time symptoms become obvious, the damage is often irreversible.”
Osman added that some patients awaiting surgery are unable to proceed because they continue using ketamine, sometimes even to manage pain caused by the drug itself.
Calls for school-focused education campaign
Prof Ian Pearce, consultant urological surgeon and andrologist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, said urgent action is needed to prevent further harm.
“One of the biggest challenges with ketamine is the very high relapse rate after rehabilitation,” he said. “That means long-term support is essential.”
Pearce called for a targeted national education campaign aimed at secondary school pupils, warning that ketamine carries a high risk of lifelong health consequences.
“This is a substance with huge potential for permanent damage,” he said. “Young people need to understand that the effects may not appear immediately, but once they do, they can change a life forever.”
Growing pressure on NHS services
The warnings come as the NHS continues to face intense pressure from rising demand, staffing shortages and increasing drug-related harm. Health professionals say without stronger prevention, education and addiction support, ketamine-related illness will place even greater strain on already overstretched hospital services.
