Ketamine isn't just a club drug anymore – why parents need to talk to teens now

Ketamine treatment numbers are rising sharply in the UK. Child therapist Laura Gwilt from Swift Psychology explains the signs and how parents can help

Bottle of recreational drug ketamine lying on its side with a spoon next to it

Published: January 7, 2026 at 10:13 AM

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In recent years, ketamine has shifted from being a niche “club drug” to something many young people encounter in parks, parties and playgrounds. In the UK, treatment services are reporting record numbers of young people seeking help for ketamine use, and specialist support centres have been set up to deal with the rise.

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New figures from UK treatment services show a sharp rise, with the proportion of adults entering treatment with ketamine problems increasing from 2.3 percent in 2023 to 2024 to 3.2 percent in 2024 to 2025.

The number of people starting treatment for ketamine use has now reached 5,365, more than 12 times higher than a decade ago, when just 426 people entered treatment in 2014 to 2015. While these figures cover adults, experts warn they reflect wider availability and normalisation that young people are also being exposed to.

Yet many parents know very little about the drug. Unlike cannabis or alcohol, ketamine isn’t part of mainstream conversations in families, leaving a gap in awareness that teenagers themselves often fill with myths and misinformation.

This lack of shared understanding between generations has become one of the biggest risks. By the time parents realise what their child is experimenting with, the harm is often well underway. That’s why now is the moment for families to get informed, start conversations, and spot the signs early.

Why is ketamine use on the rise?

To understand why ketamine is appearing more frequently in young people’s lives, it helps to consider the psychology of adolescence.

Research tells us that teenagers are strongly influenced by two developmental drives: the need to belong to a peer group and the search for ways to manage stress and difficult emotions. Ketamine can appear to meet both needs. For some, it becomes a way of bonding with friends and fitting in socially, for others it is experienced as a way to temporarily reduce anxiety, school-related stress, or family pressures.

Research also tells us that adolescents are more likely to underestimate the risks of substances that do not show immediate or highly visible physical effects. Within peer groups, ketamine is sometimes described as a “chilled” or “safer” option than stimulants. This perception lowers concern about trying it.

However, evidence shows that repeated use is associated with memory difficulties, emotional numbing, and the development of dependence as a coping strategy.

According to recent UK data, deaths linked to ketamine have increased more than fivefold in the past decade, and treatment referrals are at record levels. This shows that the risks, while sometimes hidden, are significant and rising.

Parents can reduce risk by recognising the psychological pressures teenagers are under, and by approaching conversations in a way that validates these challenges rather than framing drug use solely as a matter of poor decision-making.

The language parents might miss

Parents often miss early warning signs because the language of ketamine use is coded. Online, emojis are frequently used in group chats or posts to disguise references: a horse 🐴, a snowflake ❄️, a key 🔑, or even a coffin ⚰️. Among teens, this private shorthand makes the drug feel playful, rebellious and hidden from adults.

When those symbols appear in a young person’s messages, it doesn’t automatically mean they are using ketamine, but it may be a cue that drug conversations are happening in their circles. These digital footprints can be the starting point for dialogue, rather than something to punish.

If you see unfamiliar slang or emojis, ask calmly what they mean. Curiosity builds trust, interrogation can shut it down.

Early signs to look out for

teenage boy scrolling social media on smartphone at home close up

The signs of ketamine use are often psychological before they are physical. Parents might notice their child appearing more detached, “zoned out,” or displaying emotional responses that feel incongruent with the situation.

Emotional flattening, where a teenager seems blank, indifferent, or disengaged, can be another red flag. In school, concentration may dip, homework effort drops, and previously enjoyable activities may lose appeal.

Social patterns also shift. A child may suddenly change friendship groups, spend long stretches away from home, or become unusually secretive about their phone. While none of these behaviours alone confirm drug use, they are often clues that something important is going on in their inner world.

What parents need to do:

The physical risks parents should know about

Alongside the psychological impact, ketamine carries serious physical risks that are often underestimated. Repeated use is strongly linked to bladder and urinary tract damage, sometimes called “ketamine bladder.” Young people may develop intense urgency, frequent trips to the toilet, or even long-term incontinence. Research shows these harms can develop surprisingly quickly, even in teenagers.

Because ketamine also impairs coordination and awareness of surroundings, accidents and injuries are common, adding to the risks.

These physical consequences don’t always appear straight away, which can make ketamine seem safer than it is. By the time symptoms emerge, harm may already be significant.

For parents, the key is not to focus only on the medical dangers, but to understand that physical and psychological harms are intertwined. What starts as a way of coping emotionally can quickly carry very real and lasting consequences for the body too.

Why teenagers are especially vulnerable

Adolescence is a unique window of vulnerability. The teenage brain is still developing the circuits that control impulse, judgement, and the ability to weigh up consequences. At the same time, peers have enormous influence – often more than parents during certain stages. Combine this with the universal drive to experiment and push boundaries, and it is easier to see why ketamine, with its promise of escape and detachment, has gained a foothold.

Another factor is cost: ketamine is relatively cheap compared to many other drugs, which lowers the barrier to trying it among teenagers who may have limited resources.

For young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, or a sense of not belonging, ketamine can feel like temporary relief. But because it dampens emotions, it also takes away opportunities to develop healthy coping strategies. Over time, this can make it harder for teenagers to manage stress and distress without relying on substances.

When talking with teenagers, research shows that framing risk in terms of what matters most to them (friendships, hobbies, ambitions etc.) tends to be more effective than abstract warnings about harm. This keeps the conversation relevant to their own priorities and experiences.

How parents can help

The most powerful protective factor is not surveillance or punishment, but relationship. Open conversations, started early and revisited often, give young people the space to be honest. It is far more effective to ask what they’ve heard about ketamine, or how their friends talk about it, than to launch into a lecture.

Sharing news stories or headlines and inviting your child’s perspective can also spark dialogue without it feeling personal or accusatory. What matters most is showing that you are available, curious, and safe to talk to – even if they have already experimented.

The rise of ketamine among young people is not just about individual decisions; it reflects wider cultural pressures. Anxiety levels among teenagers are at record highs, and the cost-of-living crisis, social media culture, and academic expectations all play a part.

Silence and stigma have left many parents and families unprepared, but every conversation matters. By talking openly, communities can dismantle the myths around ketamine, give teenagers a chance to express what they are going through, and offer alternatives that support-not numb-their emotions.

The earlier parents talk, the more chance we have of helping teenagers choose healthier ways of coping.

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Laura Gwilt

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