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The study, which was undertaken in late 2025, received 244 responses from young adults across the county, with participants recruited through social media, partner organisations and face-to-face engagement in Lincoln city centre.
Survey Findings: Ketamine Use
Findings revealed that ketamine use is relatively common among respondents, with 58% reporting they had used the drug at some point. This included 14% who were current users and 44% who had used ketamine previously. Encouragingly, more than half (52%) of those who had used ketamine said they had since stopped.
Negative Effects of Ketamine Use Reported by Majority of Users
However, the research also highlighted significant concerns around harm and awareness. Nearly two thirds (63%) of people who had used ketamine reported experiencing negative effects. Respondents cited a range of reasons for using the drug including having fun, managing stress, addressing mental health issues and managing physical pain.
Ketamine Commonly Used at Parties and Festivals
Ketamine use was most commonly associated with social settings, particularly parties and festivals, where it was used by 68% of respondents aged 18 to 24 and 72% of those aged 25 to 30 who had taken the drug.
Awareness of Ketamine Risks and Support Services Remains Low
The study found that awareness of ketamine-related harms remains low. More than half of respondents (56%) felt that people in their age group had limited understanding of the risks associated with ketamine use. Only 32% had sought information about reducing the risks of ketamine use, while just 27% were aware of support services available to help.
Campaign to Raise Awareness of Ketamine Harms
The findings are being used to inform a campaign across the county in September 2026. ‘Know Your Ket’ aims to raise awareness of the harms associated with ketamine use, inform on ways to reduce the risks and signpost to local support available, to ensure that young people have access to the information and support they need to make informed decisions about ketamine use and its associated risks.
For more information about us and the work we do, visit the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership or the Know Your Ket campaign.