Health · Public Health & Disease · 5 hrs ago
Welsh woman says ketamine use damaged her bladder
Megan Harmes, from Flint in north Wales, began using ketamine at 14.
By 22, she had bladder damage that meant she needed incontinence pads.
She says her ketamine use became much heavier during the Covid lockdown, when the drug became cheaper and she was working from home.
Harmes, now 24, is trying to rebuild her life with help from a rehabilitation programme.
Kaleidoscope received 112 treatment referrals this year, up from two in 2021, with most people aged 18 to 24.
Researchers at the University of South Wales say intensive ketamine use can cause harm more quickly than alcohol or drugs classed as Class A in the UK.
They say treatment services need to adapt to younger patients, and the university is researching their specific needs.
A Welsh drug-treatment charity says referrals for ketamine detoxification and rehabilitation have risen sharply, from two in 2021 to 112 so far this year.
Most of this year’s referrals are for people aged 18 to 24.
Megan Harmes, now 24, first tried ketamine at 14 and is rebuilding her life with help from a rehabilitation programme.
She says heavy ketamine use caused bladder damage and left her needing incontinence pads by age 22.
Researchers at the University of South Wales say treatment services need to adapt to the needs of younger patients.
- Who
- Megan Harmes and young people referred to Kaleidoscope’s treatment services.
- What
- Ketamine referrals for detoxification and rehabilitation have risen sharply. Harmes is receiving help after ketamine use caused bladder damage.
- When
- Referrals rose from two in 2021 to 112 so far this year. Harmes first tried ketamine at 14 and needed incontinence pads at 22.
- Where
- Wales, United Kingdom. Harmes lives in Flint in north Wales.
- Why
- Kaleidoscope says referrals have risen; the sources do not state a specific reason for the overall increase. Harmes said ketamine helped with symptoms she associated with ADHD and borderline personality disorder.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Megan Harmes first tried ketamine.
Kaleidoscope received two referrals for treatment.
Harmes said drug use became more common among her peers and ketamine became more affordable.
Harmes said bladder problems meant she had to use incontinence pads.
Kaleidoscope had received 112 referrals, most involving people aged 18 to 24.
- 2021 referrals
- 2 people referred to Kaleidoscope for treatment
- Referrals this year
- 112 people
- Most common age range
- 18 to 24
- Megan Harmes’s age
- 24
- Harmes first tried ketamine
- Age 14
- Harmes’s hometown
- Flint, north Wales
3 sources
What people are saying
Ter que usar absorventes ou fraldas aos 22 anos acaba com a dignidade de qualquer pessoa
Agora que estou sóbria, sou muito hiperativa. Não me sentia assim desde os 14 anos. A droga praticamente reprimia tudo