Man 'wees jelly' and wears nappies at 27 because of habit that 'ruined' 7st body

A young man has shared the effects ketamine has had on his life after years of using the Class B drug, which left him needing nappies at 27 and dropping to 7st. In an episode of Altered Attitudes, viewers learn about Jack's journey of addiction and recovery.

The episode highlights the growing problem of ketamine use among youth and emphasises the need for research and support to combat addiction. Altered Attitudes is a podcast featuring addiction specialists discussing various aspects of addiction recovery, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and behavioural addictions, hosted by managing director Lester Morse.

During the podcast, Jack recounts his early drug use, the serious physical and emotional toll of his ketamine addiction, and discusses the stereotypes associated with addiction and its effects on personal relationships. He also stresses the need for empathy and understanding.

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At the beginning of the episode, Jack shares details about his childhood. He tells Lester: "I come from a really loving background, spoiled, to be honest."

He explains that he experienced no trauma or significant issues while growing up, having a supportive family with siblings. "When I was growing up, I didn't have any trauma, nothing drastic. I had a good family setup, brothers and sisters," he said.

Jack clarifies that his drug use was not a result of his upbringing. He says it started after an accident when he was 19, as it helped to "numb the pain". He said: "It helped me with pain. I'd still be out driving and it generally helped me with pain, it numbed everything I felt a little bit floaty. I had undiagnosed at the time. And post operations, it let me be able to just be a little bit less in pain."

Jack mentions that although he began using ketamine around 19-years-old, he has seen that many others start as young as 13. "I started late compared to what I've seen now, from working and doing this stuff and being around recovery, I started at 19. A lot of people starting at 13 or 14." Lester added: "Well it's spreading, so it's getting introduced earlier."

When Jack began using the drug, he enjoyed the sense of community it provided, and the desire to use ketamine and gain approval from his friends was crucial to him. He said: "As soon as I took that drug nothing else mattered," he confessed. "It was just drugs and the camaraderie with your friends.

"Everything else got dropped, and that's including family that have looked after me and gave me the best upbringing they were able to give. Everything just went on a back burner."

He acknowledged that everything else, including the family that supported him and provided a good upbringing, was pushed aside. Although Jack loved sports, which he described as his source of ease and comfort, his ketamine use altered that passion. He noted that while his mind would often remind him of his athletic abilities, the negative effects of excessive ketamine use on his mental health led to increasing feelings of depression.

Jack mentions that it didn't take long for him to develop an intolerance to ketamine, causing him to increase his usage to achieve the desired effects. He said: "The tolerance builds up so fast... I went from using a gram every two days to bumps every couple of hours." Jack explained that a 'bump' is a very small dose of the drug, a habit that persisted for him for many years. Eventually, he began to suffer from what he referred to as 'ket cramps'.

His liver and bile duct worked overtime to process and eliminate the toxins, resulting in a 'dilated and inflamed' bile duct. Jack recalled: "You get this mental pain, there's nothing I can describe it to. It's like someone stabbing you in the belly. It was radiating through my back, this agonising pain. I'd be in a foetal position for hours on end." There was one point where he endured a 'dull, horrible ache' for ten consecutive days, which would regularly "spasm out".

Jack said this was the first serious repercussion he faced. By his mid to late twenties, his health had greatly declined. Despite multiple stints in rehab, his mental well-being was at a low point, and he developed an addiction to OxyContin and fentanyl.

OxyContin is a medication for severe pain relief, while fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. When Lester asked what ended his drug use, Jack replied: "In the end, I was seven and half stone, sniffing half an ounce a day, wanting to kill myself, but not wanting to wet myself in the process. My bladder is a size of an egg, I'm p****** blood constantly, I'm wearing nappies at 27 years old.

"At seven stone, my kidneys are not working correctly because my bladder is backing up, my liver is fatty due to all the tablets and all the ketamine I'm taking. I've got jaundice. I've got oedema, where I've got so much fluid retention, none of my body can process fluid physically. I'm absolutely battered."

It wasn't until Jack's third time in rehab that he finally gave up his habit. "My mom and dad had tried everything," he said. "I'm killing them now because they're severely, severely worried. Mentally, I'm so zoned from the amount of opiates and the amount of ketamine I'm taking, I'm never really seeing a sober couple hours.

"I'm constantly in physical agony. I lost all my dignity. I'd come downstairs not knowing where I am, naked sometimes. And that's that's the severity of this. I didn't have scooby what I was doing, I was so emotionally hopeless. Times where I thought I could control it, they all went. I knew that this drug is going to kill me.

"A part of me though, 'you know what quicker the f****** better', because I couldn't deal with the pain. I've lost friends to this stuff and I just thought I was just going to be another tally on that. But through a miracle, I managed to get into rehab for the third time. I didn't have anywhere else to go, no more fight left in me. It was either I stop and just try life in sobriety and give my all to it, or honestly, I would be in a box right now."

At the time of episode went live, Jack said he was approaching 18 months of sobriety. In a word of caution to young people watching, Jack said: "I know as a youngster, we take it with impunity, thinking 'it'd be fine, we won't get these problems'. But, I felt exactly the same. And the fact is I ended up absolutely batted from this stuff, and it's only going to get worse. So please, just reach out to someone if you're struggling and just ask for help."

Speaking about the benefits of therapy and rehab, Jack expressed gratitude for his clean state. "I'm grateful to sit to they clean. There's hope out there for anyone suffering with any drug. I got clean through the fellowships, and for me that's the only way that I could get clean, stay clean and stay happy," he said.

Reflecting on the effects his drug use had on his family, Jack acknowledges that only through self-reflection and developing empathy has he been able to understand the pain he caused over the years. "That's only through now doing work on myself and having a bit more empathy of what destruction I've caused over the years I'm able to sit here and even empathise from their point of view," he said.

What is ketamine bladder syndrome?

Frequent use of the drug may result in addiction, where an uncontrollable urge to consume the drug despite negative effects can occur. Regular use over a long time can eventually cause cognitive decline, memory problems, and significant mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Extended use can also lead to bladder complications. This is often referred to as , potentially causing serious urinary tract damage that might require surgery.

Jack said: "I got told that a normal bladder will hold anything from 400ml to 800-900ml, in the end my bladder's capacity was 70ml. You think your bladder is going to burst. You are bursting to go to the toilet, but you can't, and all that's coming out is jelly and blood. If I was experiencing severe consequences at 21 or 22, then people I know who start at 14 will. By the time they reach 17 or 18, before they are even old enough to buy alcohol, they will have no bladder left. And that's what we are up against."

What is ketamine, and what are its risks?

Ketamine is a dissociative substance that induces feelings of detachment from one's body or surroundings. Similar to psychedelics, dissociatives can lead to hallucinations and alterations in thoughts, emotions, and awareness. Ketamine was initially created as an .

However, it has gained a new reputation in street culture, festivals, and clubs. Its ability to create feelings of detachment and euphoria has made it popular among recreational users. Ketamine is a dissociative substance that induces feelings of detachment from one's body or surroundings. Similar to psychedelics, dissociatives can lead to hallucinations and alterations in thoughts, emotions, and awareness.

According to , regular use of ketamine may eventually cause:

• flashbacks
• poor sense of smell (from snorting)
• mood and personality changes, depression
• poor memory, thinking and concentration
• abnormal liver or kidney function
• ketamine bladder syndrome (see below)
• abdominal pain
• needing to use more to get the same effect
• dependence on ketamine
• financial, work and social problems

According to the , the use of ketamine has increased, especially among young adults aged 16 to 24, with about 1.3% of this demographic reporting usage in 2021, marking a notable rise from earlier years. By the end of March 2022, law enforcement and border agencies e, with confiscated amounts soaring by 884% from 208kg to 1,837kg.

What does the law say?

Ketamine is classified as a Class B drug, making it illegal to possess, distribute, or sell. If caught with it, you could face up to five years in prison, a hefty fine, or both. Distributing it to others, even friends, can lead to a maximum of 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Similar to drink-driving, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs is both dangerous and against the law.

Being caught driving impaired can result in significant fines, a driving ban, or imprisonment. Additionally, if the police find individuals distributing illegal drugs in locations like homes, clubs, bars, or hostels, they may also take legal action against the landlord, club owner, or anyone involved in managing the property.

Where can you find help?

Starting with a GP is a wise choice. They can help you discuss your issues and initiate treatment, either at their practice or by referring you to a local drug service. If you prefer not to speak with a GP, you can directly reach out to your local drug treatment service. Check the for nearby support. If you need assistance finding the right help, you can call the Frank drugs helpline at 0300 123 6600 for guidance on your options.

If you or someone you know is facing addiction, consider contacting Rehabs UK's trained for support in taking that first step. Mind, the mental health charity, also suggests visiting your local and getting in touch with a .