A life reclaimed from ketamine addiction

For almost 20 years, Jack Bennett’s life was dominated by ketamine addiction. What began as experimentation in his teens gradually developed into a dependency that left him physically unwell, emotionally exhausted, and struggling to see a future.

“I hated my life, I hated myself,” Jack says. “I was suicidal most nights and days. I told my mum loads of times that I didn’t want to be here.”

Jack started using ketamine at around 16 years old. Over the years, his use escalated until it became impossible to control.

“Over the years, it's got worse and worse and worse,” he explains. “I had to get help, otherwise I was going to end up dead or kill myself.”

The devastating impact of ketamine

As Jack’s addiction progressed, the effects on his physical health became severe. He was using ketamine every day and suffering from intense pain and serious bladder problems, a common consequence of long-term ketamine misuse.

“I’d be in the bath and couldn’t actually go to the toilet. I was literally in agony,” he says. “There was blood in my urine. I went down to nine stone. I weighed less than I did when I was 16.”

The addiction affected every aspect of his life. Despite trying to access support, he found there was very little specialist help available for people struggling with ketamine addiction.

“I tried getting help, but I kept going back to it.”

A turning point

In 2024, Jack experienced a moment that would change the course of his life.

“My nan passed away and, when she was on her deathbed, she grabbed hold of me and said, ‘I want you to sort your life out.’”

Those words stayed with him.

“That really upset me, so I tried getting help. That was basically the turning point.”

Through Pier Road, a drug and alcohol support service, Jack was referred to Kenward House.

“I came in here like a broken man”

When Jack arrived at Kenward House, he was at his lowest point.

“I came in here like a broken person, like a broken man. I was basically crawling in here.”

But he committed himself fully to recovery.

“I put everything I could into the programme.”

Jack embraced all aspects of treatment, from therapeutic groups and SMART Recovery to relaxation sessions and the Therapeutic Gardens & Workshops programme.

“The relaxation classes were brilliant,” he says. “TGW was amazing as well. They do pottery, art groups, gardening, you can walk the goats and alpacas, and there’s woodwork too.”

He also found comfort in the peaceful surroundings.

“The scenery just helped me a lot.”

Jack now in recovery from ketamine addiction

Continuing recovery through resettlement

After successfully completing residential treatment, Jack moved into Kenward Trust’s Stage 2 resettlement accommodation, where he has continued building his recovery.

“I couldn’t thank Kenward enough. That’s why I wanted to stay under Kenward in Stage 2.”

Returning home was not the right option for him. Too many painful memories and old triggers remained.

“When I go to my house, I’m scared. I look at my bathroom and remember all the pain I’ve been in. I haven’t been back for nearly eight months now.”

The stability of supported accommodation gave Jack the opportunity to focus on recovery and continue developing the skills he had learned during treatment.

Today, he is training to become a SMART Recovery facilitator and hopes to support others on their own recovery journeys.

“I’d never have been able to do that before. It’s all thanks to Kenward.”

Learning a new way to live

While Jack’s physical health is still recovering, his outlook on life has changed dramatically.

“It’s still hard, but I love waking up now,” he says. “When I first came here, I didn’t know who I was. I’ve become a completely different person.”

One of the most important lessons he has learned is to take recovery one day at a time.

“If I know I can’t pick up that one bag today, I know I’ll be able to do it tomorrow. That’s what they’ve taught me here.”

Reflecting on his recovery journey, Jack believes Kenward House gave him the tools to build a different future.

“They give you the tools, and it’s your chance to grab hold of them.”

“I don’t want to go back to the person I was”

Today, Jack remains focused on his recovery and is determined never to return to the life he left behind.

“I don’t want to go back to the person I was,” he says. “I’m a changed person, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do. I’m learning every day.”

When asked what Kenward House means to him, his answer is simple:

“If it weren’t for Kenward, I don’t know where I’d be. I really wouldn’t. It’s that serious. It was a life or death situation.”

Words adapted from the transcript of Jack Bennett’s video.