Ketamine-Related Deaths in UK Have Surged Since 2014

New research from King’s College London, the University of Hertfordshire, and Manchester Metropolitan University has found that deaths involving ketamine in the UK have surged nearly twenty-fold since 2014 — a rise of approximately 2,000% over the past decade.

The study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, analyzed coronial records and toxicology data from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It identified 696 deaths between 1999 and 2024 in which illicit ketamine was detected.

From 15 Deaths to Nearly 200 in a Decade

In 2014, there were 15 deaths where ketamine was mentioned on the death certificate. By 2022, that number had jumped to 129, with a projected 197 in 2024. This dramatic increase marks a shift from ketamine being a relatively rare cause of concern to a growing contributor in drug-related fatalities.

However, the researchers emphasize that these deaths rarely involve ketamine alone. In most cases, ketamine was one of several substances involved — including opioids, cocaine, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, and alcohol. This pattern of polydrug use significantly raises the risk of fatal overdose.

We’re seeing ketamine increasingly involved in deaths among people who are mixing multiple substances, not just recreational users

Dr. Paolo Deluca, co-author of the study.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Contrary to its reputation as a “party drug,” ketamine is increasingly used outside nightlife settings. The study found growing use among older adults and socially disadvantaged populations. This includes individuals with entrenched substance use problems who may be self-medicating or unknowingly increasing their overdose risk by combining substances.

Ketamine is often used for its dissociative and numbing effects, but in high doses or mixed with depressants, it can cause respiratory depression, confusion, unconsciousness, and death.

Are We Seeing More Deaths or Better Detection?

The sharp rise in recorded deaths may partly reflect improved toxicology screening and reporting practices. Still, the trend is too large to be explained by data collection alone.

It’s also important to note that ketamine-related deaths are still far lower in number than those linked to opioids or cocaine, but the rate of increase is concerning.

What Are Experts Calling For?

• Harm reduction: Warnings about the dangers of mixing ketamine with other drugs, especially depressants.
• Education: Public awareness campaigns aimed at both recreational users and high-risk populations.
• Support services: More accessible treatment options for ketamine and polydrug dependency.
• Surveillance: Improved tracking of ketamine-related deaths, including the role of adulterants and synthetic analogues.

Some families affected by ketamine-related deaths are also calling for the drug to be reclassified from Class B to Class A under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act. However, experts caution that criminalization may not solve the underlying issues of polydrug use, mental health, and social disadvantage.

Final Word

The dramatic rise in ketamine-linked deaths in the UK is a clear warning sign. While the drug’s reputation as a low-risk substance lingers in some circles, the reality is more complex, and increasingly deadly when used in combination with other substances.

If you’re using ketamine, experts strongly advise against mixing it with alcohol, opioids, or other depressants, and recommend never using alone.

Read the full report Here.