Kelly's clean from ketamine and thrivingKelly's clean from ketamine and thriving
Miracle Mansion Podcast by Broadway Lodge
Kelly talks about her journey from rave-scene ketamine addiction and severe health problems to two years clean, ADHD diagnosis and active recovery work in Bristol. The conversation highlights ketamine’s harms, the role of rehab, and the power of peer-led support and community.
44:55•10 Apr 2026
Kelly’s Ketamine Chaos, ADHD Diagnosis and Life-Changing Recovery
Episode Overview
- Addiction can develop without obvious childhood trauma; partying and “just crossing the line” can be enough for dependence to take hold.
- Heavy ketamine use can quickly cause severe physical problems, including k-cramps, bladder issues, malnourishment and long-term organ damage.
- Residential treatment, structured groups and honest challenge can help break denial and build a foundation for abstinent recovery.
- Identifying underlying issues such as ADHD or sensory sensitivity may be crucial in understanding why substances became so attractive.
- Peer-led recovery communities, creative groups and ketamine-specific support like The K-Hold can offer ongoing connection and reduce relapse risk.
“Addiction happens to anybody. You just crossed the line, it was fun, it was partying. You just crossed the line, and then you’re over the line, and then you can’t come back.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between ketamine survivor Kelly and treatment director Markkus gives a front-row seat to what that strength can look like in real life. Aimed at people affected by addiction, their families, and anyone working in treatment, the chat is honest, funny in places, and very down to earth.
Kelly shares how a fairly “normal” childhood and heavy drinking at uni slowly shifted into rave culture, cocaine, and then ketamine – helped along by the fact that, as she says, “addiction happens to anybody… you just crossed the line, and then you’re over the line, and then you can’t come back.” You’ll hear clear, practical descriptions of ketamine use, from k-holes, “ck” (coke and ketamine together) and k-cramps, to brutal bladder issues, malnourishment and terrifying hospital trips.
It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to understand the physical damage ketamine can cause in a short time, or why someone keeps using even when their health is collapsing. The tone lifts as Kelly talks about her time at Broadway Lodge, being “a bit childish”, gradually growing in confidence, and eventually becoming house leader.
A late diagnosis of ADHD explains years of struggle with focus, mornings, and sensory overload, and shines a light on how undiagnosed neurodiversity can sit behind substance use. Life in recovery sounds busy and meaningful: moving to a dry house in Bristol, joining the Rising Voices recovery choir, becoming ketamine lead for the RAFT lived-experience organisation, co-founding The K-Hold support and social group, and even helping run a ketamine research project.
If you’re scared that abstinent life will be boring, or you’re worried about ketamine use in yourself or someone you love, Kelly’s two-years-clean milestone shows that change is possible – and that a new social life, new purpose and proper support can make it worth it. What might your own version of that look like?
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