# Ketamine addiction leads to bladder surgery

> A man who used ketamine daily since age 16 now needs bladder removal surgery.
- Title: Ketamine addiction leads to bladder surgery · LADbible
- Summary: A man who used ketamine daily since age 16 now needs bladder removal surgery. Josh, 16-year ketamine user, faces bladder removal surgery due to…
- Keywords: ketamine, bladder surgery, ketamine bladder syndrome, ketamine uropathy, ketamine addiction, rehabilitation, urinary tract syndrome, bladder removal, entertainment, culture, news, addiction
- Source: LADbible — https://ladbible.com/lifestyle/ketamine-addiction-documentary-bbc-health-018479-20261021
- Published: 2026-10-21T15:01:47.894+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ketamine, bladder surgery, ketamine bladder syndrome, ketamine uropathy, ketamine addiction, rehabilitation, urinary tract syndrome, bladder removal, entertainment, culture, news
## Josh's ketamine use
Josh started using ketamine at age 16 and took it daily for over a decade.

> I started using ketamine ten years ago and it was pretty much every weekend without fail
## Bladder damage
Ketamine destroys bladder lining causing irreversible damage known as ketamine bladder syndrome.

> It has caused a lot of damage to my health. It got to the point where it was life or death
## Bladder failure
Josh's kidneys are swelling due to urine not draining to his bladder.

> They aren't functioning at the moment. The urine wasn't draining to my bladder
## Surgery preparation
Josh is awaiting major bladder reconstruction surgery using his small intestine.

> They're going to remove my old bladder, and reconstruct a new one out of my small intestine
## Urine management
Josh wears external bags to collect urine while awaiting surgery.

> I have been praying to God to take the pain away
## Long-term risks
Josh faces dialysis for life if complications arise from surgery.

> I'm very lucky to have been given that opportunity but at the same time, there could be complications
## Liam's story
Liam, a five-year ketamine user, experiences severe bladder pain and cramps.

> I have been addicted for five years, but in the past year my bladder got so much worse
## Rehabilitation
Liam is in rehab after using ketamine daily for five years.

> I started getting the cramps, but my downfall was that I kept taking ketamine
## Key takeaway

Josh, 16-year ketamine user, faces bladder removal surgery due to ketamine-induced uropathy.