Enter year, festival season bring an increase in recreational drug use, particularly among young people. One drug which has seen a dramatic increase in usage in recent years is ketamine. Despite often being used by the NHS as a dissociative anaesthetic, its recreational use can cause a whole load of issues, including ket bladder.
The reason ketamine is a popular choice for festivals is due to its dissociative, hallucinogenic and euphoric properties. But when it’s used this way, it can become addictive, and people find that they need to use more of the drug to feel the desired affects.
Over time, this can cause bladder damage, which can lead to ketamine users needing their bladders removed.
So, what actually is ket bladder?
via Unsplash
Ket bladder is a consequence of the misuse of ketamine. It affects the structure of the bladder by inducing inflammation, reducing the bladder’s carrying capacity. The inflammation also causes a thinning of the protective layer of the bladder. This makes the bladder more susceptible to irritants and therefore intensifies urinary tract symptoms.
The inflammation caused by ketamine overuse causes the bladders capacity to decrease, reducing it’s ability to stretch and hold in urine.
It can be impossible to return a distended to its previous form using medication, but there are ways to manage pain and symptoms, including surgery.
The clinical syndrome associated with chronic usage of ket includes a small, very painful bladder and incontinence. If used infrequently, users might experience cystitis’-type symptoms and so typically don’t associate this with the drug use.
Symptoms of ketamine overuse and signs to look out for
Here are some of the physical symptoms of ketamine misuse:
- Poor coordination
- Insomnia
- Very irritable
- Spacing out often, as if in a trance
- Swift movement of the eyes
- Slurring their words
Other common symptoms include:
- Intense cravings
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Hallucinations
- Paralysis
- Memory loss
- Bladder pain
There are a number of early symptoms that ketamine use has damaged the bladder, including the following:
- Increased frequency and urgency regarding urination
- Painful urination
- Lower abdominal pain: pain in the pelvic and bladder region, and in the lower abdomen
- Blood in urine
- Incontinence: Leaking, unable to hold urine in
- Reduced output: producing less urine than expected, despite urgency
If you have a problem with drugs while at a festival
A lot of festivals have designated medical and welfare tents, and protocol in case you have a bad experience with drugs or alcohol. If you need any help while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, talk to the nearest member of staff, and tell the medics what has been taken so they can give you the correct help.
Getting help for urinary symptoms and ketamine addiction
Seeking medical attention to assess bladder health and address potential damage done to the bladder is really easy. Importantly, be honest with the medical profession treating you about your ketamine use so that they are properly able to help you. Healthcare professionals are bound by doctor-patient confidentiality.
A GP is a good place to start for help with ketamine addiction, and they will likely refer to a local drug service.
If you’re having trouble finding help, either check the Frank website or call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600 to talk through your options.
If you feel affected by this story, please speak to someone or contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. You can contact Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774, Mind on 0300 123 3393, and Calm (Campaign against living miserably, for men aged 15 to 35) on 0800 58 58 58.
