A growing health crisis
Medical experts at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool have sounded the alarm over a disturbing trend: children as young as 13 are suffering from severe bladder damage caused by ketamine use. Since opening a dedicated clinic for the condition last May, the hospital has already received over 100 referrals.
Doctors are warning that the physical consequences of the drug are brutal. Patients have reported shedding parts of their bladder lining—an experience some describe as "peeing a jellyfish." Prolonged use can lead to incontinence, chronic pain that patients compare to "weeing over broken glass," and potentially even permanent kidney failure.
Caught in a 'K loop'
Prof. Rachel Isba, who leads the clinic, explained that the drug’s nature as an anaesthetic creates a dangerous cycle. Because ketamine numbs the body, some users take more of the drug to dull the extreme pain it causes in their own bladders. This phenomenon, known as a "K loop," makes it incredibly difficult for young users to stop without professional help.
Many of these children use the drug to cope with emotional trauma or mental health struggles, often describing it as a way to "shush" their brains. Despite these risks, the drug is often sold at low "pocket money" prices, making it increasingly accessible. While the British Association of Urological Surgeons estimates that 30% of frequent users will face these bladder issues, there is currently a significant gap in treatment resources for those under 16, who often cannot access the same inpatient detox facilities as adults.
Why it matters
Ketamine usage among young people in the UK is rising rapidly, moving into the third most popular substance behind cannabis and alcohol. With some children requiring surgical intervention or even total bladder removal, experts are highlighting an urgent need for better specialized care and intervention strategies to stop this cycle before long-term physical damage becomes irreversible.
