A 28-year-old York man who spent 10 years addicted to ketamine is sharing his experience to warn other young people about the dangers of the drug and encourage those struggling to seek help.
The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, first tried ketamine at the age of 18 after moving away from home to attend university. What began as a decision on a night out developed into a decade of addiction that affected his education, employment, housing, mental health and family relationships.
His story is being shared during Ketamine Awareness Week, which runs in October and is supported by City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council, North Yorkshire Police and local health and support services.
Looking back, he said he never imagined that trying the drug during his first days away from home would shape the next 10 years of his life.
He said: I wasn’t a special case. I was a normal lad from a normal family. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.
During his addiction, he left university, lost jobs, experienced homelessness and struggled with his mental health. He also described the impact on his family.
He said: I really broke my parents.
After years of addiction, he eventually sought help and began his recovery. He is now rebuilding his life, reconnecting with loved ones and looking towards the future.
His message to other young people is that the apparent short-term appeal of drugs can conceal serious and lasting consequences.
He said: Drugs can make you feel on top of the world. But they can also take you to the bottom of it. You’re not invincible.
He also urged people who are struggling to talk about their problems rather than trying to manage them alone.
He said: Talk about your problems. If you need help, ask for it. You might think you’re protecting people by keeping things to yourself, but you’re not alone.
Concerns over ketamine use among young people
Ketamine Awareness Week aims to help young people, parents and carers understand the risks associated with the drug, recognise warning signs and find appropriate support.
National figures cited by the campaign indicate that ketamine use among young people increased by 231% between 2013 and 2024. The number of young people seeking support for ketamine use has also risen.
Regular ketamine use can cause serious health problems, including damage to the bladder and urinary tract, kidney complications, severe stomach pain, memory and concentration difficulties, and mental health problems. Some people develop dependence and find it difficult to stop using the drug.
Health professionals warn that damage to the bladder and urinary tract can be severe and, in some cases, permanent. Some people experience painful urination or need to pass urine much more frequently.
Partners across York and North Yorkshire are concerned that some young people underestimate the risks and do not seek help until their problems have become more serious.
Campaign activities across York and North Yorkshire
Activities planned for Ketamine Awareness Week include:
- A free online ketamine awareness session delivered by Drink Drug Hub on Thursday 22 October, from noon to 1pm, open to professionals and members of the public. Booking is available through Drink Drug Hub.
- Ketamine awareness training for local education providers.
- Educational resources distributed to local schools by the North Yorkshire Police School Liaison Team.
- Guidance for young people seeking help, available through NY Rise.
- Guidance for GPs on supporting young people, available through Drink Drug Hub.
- Ketamine awareness stands at York Hospital, York College, York St John University and the University of York.
Recovery is possible, says council
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said the man’s experience demonstrated how widely addiction could affect someone’s life.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw said: This story shows that addiction can affect anyone. What started as trying ketamine at 18, went on to affect this young man’s health, education, work and family life.
That is why Ketamine Awareness Week is so important. We want young people to understand the risks, parents and carers to feel confident talking about ketamine and everyone to know where they can get help.
Most importantly, this story shows that recovery is possible and support is available.
Cllr Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, said ketamine addiction could have a devastating effect and that sharing recovery experiences could help reduce stigma.
Cllr Michael Harrison said: Ketamine addiction can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and this young man’s experience is a powerful reminder that addiction can affect anyone and speaking about recovery can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek support.
We would like people in North Yorkshire who are struggling with ketamine or other substances to know they are not alone. Our North Yorkshire Rise service provides free, friendly and confidential outreach to young people across the county who need support with or information about drug and alcohol use.
Faye Charlesworth, Lead Practitioner at North Yorkshire Rise, encouraged young people who were concerned about their ketamine use to make contact, even if they were not ready to stop using the drug.
Faye Charlesworth said: If you’re a young person in North Yorkshire and you’re concerned about your ketamine use, reach out to NY Rise. You don’t have to want to stop right away — even if you just want to chat, we’re here to listen, not judge, and help you get the support you need.
Free and confidential support available
A spokesperson for York Drug and Alcohol Service, delivered by Change Grow Live, said ketamine use among young people was a growing concern.
A spokesperson for York Drug and Alcohol Service said: Too often, we see people and families affected by the harmful impact of ketamine before they realise how serious the risks can be. By raising awareness, encouraging open conversations and helping people recognise the signs early, we hope more individuals will seek support before problems escalate.
At Change Grow Live, we provide free, confidential and non-judgemental support for anyone concerned about their own drug use, as well as advice and guidance for parents, carers and family members.
People can contact York Drug and Alcohol Service on 01904 464680 or email yorksms.info@cgl.org.uk. Further information is available at Change Grow Live’s York Drug and Alcohol Service page.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Willey, of North Yorkshire Police, said the force was committed both to tackling drug dealing and to working with partners to reduce harm and ensure people could access support.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Willey said: Local and national intelligence assessments indicate that ketamine is an increasingly concerning issue, and that the health impacts on users can be life-changing and even life-threatening.
Our message is simple: no one should be afraid to ask for help. Protecting people and reducing harm is a responsibility we all share, and we will continue to work alongside our partners in York and North Yorkshire to ensure that support is available for those who need it.
Where to get help
Free and confidential support is available for people concerned about their own drug use, as well as friends and family members.
- York Drug and Alcohol Service (Change Grow Live): 01904 464680. Email: yorksms.info@cgl.org.uk. Visit the service website. Support for adults affected by drugs or alcohol in York.
- The Gate (Change Grow Live): Free, confidential support for children and young people affected by drugs or alcohol in York. Visit Change Grow Live for service information.
- North Yorkshire Horizons: 08000 14 14 80. Visit North Yorkshire Horizons for support for adults across North Yorkshire.
- NY Rise: 08000 14 14 80, option 2. Free, confidential support for children and young people affected by drugs or alcohol across North Yorkshire. Visit North Yorkshire Council for further information.
- FRANK: 0300 123 6600. Visit Talk to FRANK for confidential drug information and advice for young people, parents and carers.
- York in Recovery: 07767 132696. Drop-in support is available at Wellington Row, York.
- Drink Drug Hub: Information, advice and free online awareness sessions are available through Drink Drug Hub.
Anyone with information about suspected drug dealing can report it to North Yorkshire Police online or by calling 101. In an emergency, call 999. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the Crimestoppers website.
The campaign’s message is that asking for help early can prevent problems from escalating. As the York man’s experience demonstrates, addiction can affect anyone, but recovery is possible and support is available.