Paige Collins, a 25-year-old from Hampshire, UK, has spoken about the severe health damage she says she suffered after taking ketamine heavily for three years.
She first tried the drug at 19 while partying with friends. What began as an occasional habit gradually escalated — from weekends to weekdays during the COVID period — until it became daily use. Paige said she was spending around £1,000 ($1,292) a month and didn’t realise she was addicted until years later. By early 2024, she said she was taking between five and 10 grams a day.
Over time, Paige began experiencing intense pain and a constant urge to urinate, sometimes going to the toilet more than 50 times a day. She also noticed she was “peeing jelly,” which she later learned was her bladder lining. She said the symptoms became so debilitating that she barely left the house for several months in 2023, yet still struggled to stop.
In 2021, Paige sought medical help. Tests including an ultrasound and cystoscopy showed her bladder had shrunk dramatically and could hold only about 30ml. The NHS says a healthy bladder typically holds 400–600ml, meaning Paige’s capacity was roughly five percent of normal.
Paige said doctors told her the damage is irreversible. She has now been clean for nine months, but continues to deal with bladder problems that affect her ability to work. She is undergoing bladder instillation treatment to help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and stretch the bladder.
By sharing her experience, Paige hopes to warn others about the risks, saying she wouldn’t wish the physical or emotional toll on anyone.