With ketamine use rising across the UK, many people don’t realise how quickly physical and mental health problems can appear with regular ketamine use. As part of our national Know Your K campaign, we've been speaking to people affected by ketamine.
Youcef has experienced ongoing challenges with ketamine use for several years. In 2023, he sought assistance from a local drug and alcohol service (Inspire North and Central Lancashire which is operated by CGL), but found that staff had very little knowledge of ketamine. His ketamine use significantly impacted his physical and mental health, as well as contributed to the deterioration of relationships with family and friends. Recently, after his step father watched a the Panorama documentary on ketamine harm, they gained greater understanding of Youcef’s circumstances and subsequently provided financial support for him to enter rehabilitation at Turning Point in Leighbank. At Leighbank, Yusef has begin volunteering with K.E.S., a grass roots ketamine education charity – the founder will be at the roundtable), through this he has participated in several initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the risks associated with ketamine, including speaking at a local prison.