Overview

• Isabella Gawley first tried ketamine at age 16, leading to a £30,000 addiction that caused severe organ damage and extreme weight loss.
• In October 2024, after five days clean, she suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest, requiring CPR and defibrillation to save her life.
• Chronic ketamine use left her with debilitating bladder and kidney pain, but six months of sobriety have resulted in a near-full physical recovery.
• Gawley is now raising awareness about the dangers of ketamine, warning that children as young as 12 are using the drug due to its low cost and accessibility.
• Government data reveals ketamine use among 16-24 year olds in England has tripled since 2016, underscoring a growing public health concern.