University of Exeter research reveals physical and psychological symptoms of ketamine abuse

University of Exeter research has revealed the physical and psychological symptoms of ketamine abuse.

Partnered with University College London (UCL), researchers explored the experience of people currently living with ketamine addiction in-depth.

Supported by NIHR, the research included interviews with users where many said they were unaware of how addictive ketamine use was.

One user even called ketamine “the heroin of our generation”.

This study found how ketamine addiction is linked to high levels of physical health problems and psychological consequences – many of those affected were not seeking support or treatment.

In the research, 274 participants who were identified to have ketamine use disorder were found to have under-reported symptoms. 60 per cent had experienced bladder or nasal problems, which include needing a full bladder removal and a urostomy bag to collect urine.

While another 56 per cent reported “K-cramps” which is a “painful organ cramping linked to excess ketamine use”. This in turn often led individuals back to drugs to seek relief from the pain of this cramping.

Additionally, psychological symptoms included low mood, anxiety and irritability. It was also found that 56 per cent of participants sought treatment but only 36 per cent of those were satisfied with the treatment.

The UK Government data has confirmed that ketamine use has doubled since 2016, especially seeing an increase among 25-year-olds.

Professor Celia Morgan, a study author of University of Exeter, said: “We know that ketamine use is on the rise, with a number of high-profile tragedies linked to ketamine addiction.”

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“Our research is the first to analyse in-depth the experience of people using very large amounts of ketamine and shows the devastating physical health problems people can face with dependent ketamine use. Our study also highlights the barriers that people with ketamine addiction face when they try to seek treatment, often being sent away from treatment services.”

The study involved both questionnaires and interviews to investigate the impact of those who develop an addiction to ketamine. In the study, 59 per cent of participants claimed that there was not enough educational awareness among peer groups around the risks associated with ketamine as many reported that they were unaware of how the addictive the drug can be.

One interviewee said: “People know the risks about heroin and cocaine, but not how the addiction to ketamine can become even stronger than being addicted to heroin or cocaine.”

Another participant told researchers that “more information will become available once more time passes and more people my age begin to suffer so greatly from misuse that it can’t be hidden anymore”.

Participants also alluded to the lack of understanding among health professionals with one saying that all they received was painkillers.

Rebecca Harding, a PhD candidate and co-author at University College London said: “Our study highlights the need for greater recognition of the significant physical and psychological risks associated with ketamine, both among healthcare professionals and the general public.

“We need improved treatment programs while raising awareness of ketamine use, to better support those seeking care. By focusing on evidence-based treatments, such as specialised group therapy and pharmacological interventions, we can improve access to effective treatment and address the growing challenge of ketamine use disorder.”