**Former Ketamine Addict Speaks Out About Harrowing Consequences in Bid to Warn Others**
A man from Essex has chosen to speak candidly about his deeply personal journey through addiction, in a bid to highlight the devastating impact ketamine abuse can inflict on the body and mind. Jack Curran, now 29 years old and two years into his recovery, describes his experience with the class B drug as one that took everything from him—including his health, dignity, and hope for the future.
Jack’s story begins at just 16, when what started as casual experimentation with friends segued into an on-and-off relationship with party drugs. Initially, he admits he was not drawn to ketamine, finding the sensation overwhelming and unpleasant. Nevertheless, the drug became an occasional end-of-night fix when other substances had run out.
Everything changed for Jack three years later, following a boating accident that left him with a broken leg. Diagnosed with arthritis soon after, he turned to ketamine as a makeshift pain reliever, a decision that would rapidly spiral into full-blown addiction. “As I built a tolerance for ketamine, I started to enjoy its effects,” he said. “What began as small amounts soon became constant use. Before long, the negative consequences began to surface.”
Within six months, the drug’s corrosive effects became alarmingly evident. Jack recalls the onset of severe abdominal pain, which users often call “ket cramps”—a stabbing agony that, despite its intensity, was not enough to deter his dependency. “I would swear off ketamine in agony, but hours later I’d be using again,” he said, testament to the grip the addiction held over him.
Physical health issues soon compounded. By 21, Jack was experiencing disturbing symptoms: bladder problems, passing blood and gelatinous substances when urinating—a process he likened to “peeing glass.” These difficulties escalated until he found himself incontinent and reliant on nappies, his bladder unable to function properly. Hospital doctors warned him of the very real prospect of his bladder being surgically removed due to extreme inflammation, a suggestion he resisted out of fear.
Adding to these hardships were the dramatic changes to his appearance. As liver damage set in, his face, fingers, and ankles swelled with fluid retention and his skin turned jaundiced. The overall effect, he said, made him look “like a marshmallow.” Despite appearing severely underweight, his body was bloated from illness—a stark and harrowing illustration of the drug’s toll.
Despite several attempts at rehabilitation, Jack’s struggles persisted for years. “There was a point where the medical staff told me I probably wouldn’t live another six months,” he revealed. “My body wasn’t coping. I was painfully frail, rarely able to leave the house except to collect drugs.” At his lowest, Jack admits he contemplated suicide, consumed by both demoralising physical pain and a profound sense of hopelessness.
Now sober for two years, Jack still faces lingering medical issues including frequent trips to the toilet during the night—just one of many reminders of ketamine’s long-term impact. However, he is determined to use his experience to help others avoid the same fate. Training to become a therapist, Jack has become an advocate for addiction awareness among young people, urging them to seek help before their health is permanently compromised.
Reflecting on his past, Jack shared, “There was much less awareness about ketamine’s dangers when I was younger. Today’s teenagers at least have more information. I hope my story encourages even one person to reconsider before going down the same road.” He added, “Addiction left me a shadow of myself, robbed of identity and hope. But life can change. I’m living proof that there is a way back.”
Jack’s warning is clear: the consequences of long-term ketamine abuse may be irreversible and life-altering, underscoring the importance of prevention and support for those struggling with substance misuse. Support for those experiencing addiction is available in the UK via services such as FRANK or Samaritans, ensuring no one has to face such challenges alone.