There is a worrisome trend of young people increasingly using ketamine, a veterinary anaesthetic for large animals that is being used as a recreational drug, according to various NGOs working on these issues in Namur.
This phenomenon has prompted the Director of the non-profit association Phénix, Leonardo Di Bari, to emphasise the need to raise awareness about its increased use. In a recent article published by RTBF, Di Bari asserted that society, parents, and schools must be informed of the increasing use of the drug and become more vigilant.
Phénix is a non-profit organisation in Namur that provides support to teenagers struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Di Bari explained that over the past few years, they have noticed a rise in the consumption of ketamine combined with alcohol and cannabis among young people. Ketamine has become easier to get on the streets and in places where teenagers meet, he told RTBF.
Individualism and isolation
In the same article, François-Xavier Polis, a psychiatrist who works with adolescents at the Athanor unit of Le Centre Neuro Psychiatrique St-Martin à Dave in Namur, affirms that it is no longer surprising to encounter young people using ketamine. Interestingly, more girls are users, although no definitive explanation has been established for a difference in use among genders.
The effects of ketamine are described by users as a sense of dissociation from their bodies, akin to a near-death experience accompanied by vivid lights. This escapism from a challenging reality is precisely what young individuals who regularly consume ketamine seek. However, they also encounter highly distressing "bad trips" that intensify their fear of death.
Related News
- Cocaine and cannabis addiction treatment on the rise in Flanders
- Five-year prison term requested for policeman accused of cocaine trafficking
- No alcohol for children, unless it is 'hidden' in herbal medicine?
According to Polis, the rise of individualism has led to an empty existence for many young people, who attempt to fill the void through seeking validation and approval on social media. The pressure they impose on themselves to gain likes and present appealing images often drives them to resort to substance abuse or engage in self-destructive behaviours such as anorexia. This deep sense of unease can only be alleviated by reconnecting individuals and fostering meaningful connections within society, he ascertained.
Kidney problems
Both experts explained that, as long as people remain disconnected, young people will continue to be vulnerable to the detrimental effects of ketamine use, as well as other substances and mental illnesses. Regular consumption of ketamine exacerbates their isolation, leading to increased social withdrawal and problems at school.
The consequences of ketamine use extend beyond social isolation. François-Xavier Polis told RTBF of the physical problems such as irreversible urinary and kidney complications that can result from regular consumption. Toxicity arising from long-term use can lead to kidney reactions, ranging from cystitis to fibrosis. Additionally, memory impairment, learning difficulties, and emotional symptoms become prevalent, making it challenging for young people to pursue their aspirations and realise their goals.
Both experts called for a raising of awareness and the fostering of supportive environments, to help mitigate the harms associated with ketamine use and assist young people in reclaiming their lives.
