Home / Health / Bristol's 'K Crystal' Crisis: Bladder Damage Soars
Bristol's 'K Crystal' Crisis: Bladder Damage Soars
14 Apr
Summary
- Bristol leads Europe in ketamine residue detected in wastewater.
- Ketamine use causes severe bladder damage, leading to hospital visits.
- Drug's affordability and dissociative effects fuel its widespread use.
Recent wastewater analysis indicates Bristol may have the highest ketamine usage in Europe, with residue levels far exceeding those in traditional party capitals. This surge in use, particularly among young people, has led to a significant increase in hospital admissions and addiction cases. The drug, once seen as relatively harmless, is now linked to severe health problems, most notably 'ketamine bladder,' a condition causing chronic pain and frequent urination.
Authorities are grappling with rising ketamine-related crime and seizures in the South West region. Health professionals are treating a growing number of patients with ketamine-induced bladder damage, with treatment often proving difficult due to high relapse rates. The affordability and dissociative effects of ketamine have made it ubiquitous, especially among students, despite government campaigns highlighting its dangers.
