Hi everyone, just rejoined to put my experience on here 🙂
I’ve done ket for about 4 years or so. The worst was doing about 2g’s almost every day whilst very very depressed. During this time I had cramps a few times but no bladder issues. I wanted to quit for a long time but having a boyfriend who also enjoyed being wonky, as well as a group of friends, meant it was very difficult. Over the last 3/4 months I cut down to once a week but since getting a UTI a few months ago I have noticed a constant feeling in my bladder… it’s not uncomfortable or painful like many say. I can hold my wee for a normal length of time considering I drink a fair amount of water, the feeling is just there almost constantly. This could be a learned response from my brain to just focus on it, as when I’m happy and distracted it disappears (magic!) and it’s also made worse by my anxiety (a common symptom it turns out). I thought that cutting down would help but I still have that feeling even after a month of minimal drinking alcohol (it was Christmas!) and no ket at all. My point is that though cutting down is better than not doing, I honestly do not think it’s not enough. Luckily my boyfriend also wants to get healthy (though he has more slip ups than me) and I’m finding it easy to not want to do it as I hate the side effects of panic attacks, lack of sleep, this weird bladder thing and no money, more than I want to do it.
One of the hardest parts of making these changes (still ongoing) is having to basically give up some of my really good friends, and I know from experience that separating yourself from those you love is almost impossible but I have found that the sacrifice makes it lots easier to make good decisions – though I haven’t taken it alone for over a year. One of my best friends is still a heavy, daily user (eighth a day generally, up to a quart or more if they’re going out) and to know that at the moment I can only speak to them on the phone and over the internet is really hard. I urge people to really consider their company carefully, there is a sneaky subculture around this drug. I can’t make my friends stop, all I can do is hope that if they want to see me, they’ll meet me for a brew and leave the baggy at home. Another friend summed up how many feel: “When you’re trying to give up, you feel that everyone is either judging you cos they don’t do it. Or they’re still taking it.” She was right, it can feel like a lonely struggle which is why I think that any sort of support we can give each other is an important resource.
It does take abuse for the bladder to be damaged, I don’t know the extent of mine, but quite often those most at risk just don’t think about it because ket is such a wonderful drug to just shut your brain up! I know that my anxiety is a key reason I started taking it and so trying to deal with those reasons is helping me understand my choices better – try writing down a list of what triggers your use (I found being in a REALLY GOOD MOOD was a main one!) can help make you notice your thoughts before they become actions. There are plenty of people that want to escape this and doing so ASAP is going to minimise any damage or potential damage. For me, cutting down was just not enough and I’m really proud of myself for going a month without it even if the physiological benefits take more time…
Sorry for going off on a rant, it’s just something I’ve wanted to get out there for a while. I hope it helps someone somewhere, and you all keep your fingers and toes crossed that I’ll stay strong and keep going! Sorry for the massive tangent everyone! xxx
PS: I’ve also been taking MSM for a couple of months. I’m not sure if it’s helped, but I will continue to take it cos what harm can it do?
