A doctor has issued a warning about 'one of the worst symptoms' of ketamine.
The Class B substance has surged in popularity to become a 'widespread recreational drug across the UK', according to Primary Care 24.
People tend to misuse the drug for its hallucinogenic effects, and regular use can cause serious health issues.
It comes after latest figures from the NHS suggest that ketamine addiction has doubled from 1,140 in 2019 to over 2,200 in 2023. And it's estimated that 11 percent of school children had been offered ketamine at some point.
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Former users have been coming forward about the dangers of the drug, as Luis Corselli reveals that he was left with a bladder the size of a 'shot glass'.
The party boy from Manchester spent £60 a day on ketamine and was needing to go to the toilet every 15 minutes.
"In Covid, I bought a house, and that's when it turned from a recreational habit into an everyday thing. I was taking three and a half grams per day. It was costing me £60 per day, and I was in about £15,000 debt," he said, which caused issues to his bladder.
"Every time I went for a wee, it was like being stabbed with a knife; it [the pain] was awful. [Doctors said] the capacity of my bladder was at 30ml."
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Lewis said his recovery post-surgery was 'the best moment of his life'.
Dr Catherine Carney, an addiction specialist at Delamere Rehab, has since raised the alarm about a horrifying condition known as ketamine bladder syndrome, and explained how the urine samples of new guests checking into the clinic are often just a 'pot of blood'.
Ketamine bladder syndrome is essentially a form of bladder damage from repeated ketamine use, causing pain, frequent blood in urine and a small bladder.
The doctor told Sun Health that 'the lining of the bladder can shrink over time and [it can] be extremely painful for those experiencing it'.
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“We’ve had young men in agony, wetting the bed,” she said.
“Their whole life is focused on where there’s a toilet because they can only hold urine for ten minutes.
“For a teenager or someone in their early 20s, that’s absolutely life-changing.”
“In some cases, the bladder damage progresses to the kidneys and people get kidney failure, too,” Dr Carney added.
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“This is developing in people who have been using for two years, so it is relatively quick.”
She warned that while most cases will 'will improve to the point that they don’t need to have it removed', if the bladder 'has shrunk to the size of 70ml, that’s never getting better'.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, orl ivechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Anish Vij