'I started ketamine at 14 and needed nappies at 22' - the rise of young people going to rehab
A 24-year-old woman shares her experience with long-term ketamine addiction, which began at age 14 and resulted in severe bladder damage. The article highlights a significant rise in young people seeking rehab for ketamine use.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the growing public health crisis regarding ketamine abuse among young adults and the need for specialized addiction services.
Image caption, Megan says four weeks in rehab for ketamine use is already helping her feel physically better, though it's unclear if her bladder damage can be reversed
Wales health correspondent Published 19 October 2026 Updated 3 hours ago Megan Harmes was 14 when she first tried ketamine.
A decade later, rehab is helping her rebuild her life after bladder issues caused by the drug have left her needing to wear incontinence pads.
The drugs charity Kaleidoscope says it has seen a huge rise in referrals to its detox and rehabilitation facility over the last five years, with two people referred in 2021 compared with 112 so far this year. The majority of clients are aged 18 to 24.
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