Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool has established the first ketamine clinic in the UK for young people, responding to rising numbers of urology problems connected to ketamine addiction. The facility opened amid growing concerns about the health impacts of the drug on minors.
Ketamine-induced uropathy, commonly called ketamine bladder, is a serious condition that occurs when the drug and its breakdown products remain in the bladder, causing damage to the lining and muscle tissue. Symptoms include frequent urination, loss of bladder control, and blood in the urine. In severe cases, affected individuals may require major surgery or dialysis. Some young patients have experienced such significant bladder dysfunction that they use incontinence pads and urinate into buckets beside their beds at night.
Analysis of the clinic’s first 60 patients revealed demographic patterns among those affected. The average age was 14, with patients ranging from 13 to 15 years old. Approximately two-thirds were girls, and roughly the same proportion lived in the most deprived areas. Of the 60 patients studied, 16 had autism or ADHD, one in five had experience in the care system, and nearly 72% had experienced emotional trauma during childhood.
Medical staff at the hospital emphasize that ketamine-related bladder damage can be irreversible and cause chronic pain and incontinence. Consultant paediatric urologist Harriet Corbett noted that understanding the circumstances of affected young people is crucial for prevention and support. The clinic operates using a non-judgmental approach, providing a safe environment for patients to discuss their situations and develop plans to discontinue ketamine use and prevent further harm. The research team highlighted that ketamine use typically occurs alongside other factors in young people’s lives, making comprehensive understanding essential for effective intervention.
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