Both are already the natural terms this piece and the source material use throughout (the Believe in People page itself leads with “ketamine addiction” and “ketamine-related harm” repeatedly), so let me redistribute properly through the article rather than just asserting it:

Hull Premiere of K-Hole Documentary Shines Light on Ketamine Harm

Hull hosted the premiere of K-Hole, a new UK documentary confronting the realities of ketamine addiction, timed to coincide with the launch of the Hull Ketamine Support Pathway, a new local initiative designed to improve how people experiencing ketamine-related harm are identified, supported and connected with appropriate care.

A Film Built on Lived Experience

K-Hole was produced by Inspired Youth in partnership with Believe in People, and is presented by Matthew Butler, who travels across the North of England to speak directly with people whose lives have been shaped by ketamine addiction, alongside professionals who see the damage it causes on a regular basis. Through honest accounts from those affected, family perspectives and professional insight, the film traces how ketamine use can escalate from occasional to dependent, and the serious physical, psychological and social consequences that can follow.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from difficult territory. It covers ketamine addiction and dependency, the drug’s well-documented link to bladder and urinary tract damage, chronic pain and repeated hospital treatment, and the way tolerance builds and use escalates over time. It also explores how ketamine-related harm intersects with trauma, anxiety, ADHD and neurodiversity, the toll on parents, families and supporters, and the barriers people face when trying to access appropriate treatment.

Central to the film is a simple, deliberate message: people experiencing problems with ketamine deserve information, understanding and access to support without stigma. As the filmmakers put it, K-Hole isn’t about judging anyone who uses ketamine, it’s about recognising harm earlier and helping people find their way to support.

A viewer note accompanies the film: it contains honest discussions of substance use, addiction, physical illness and distress that some may find difficult to watch.

Why This Matters Now

Ketamine has often been perceived as a comparatively low-risk recreational drug, a perception the documentary directly challenges. For some people, what begins as occasional use can develop into ketamine addiction, with consequences that extend into physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships and everyday functioning, exactly the kind of trajectory the film sets out to document.

The Hull Ketamine Support Pathway launching alongside the premiere reflects a growing recognition, both locally and nationally, that ketamine-related harm needs a coordinated response rather than a piecemeal one. The pathway aims to make it easier for people struggling with ketamine addiction to be identified and connected to the right support, without needing to reach a crisis point first.

Signs Worth Paying Attention To

The film’s makers are clear that people don’t need to wait until the damage becomes severe before seeking help. They suggest speaking to a healthcare or drug and alcohol professional if you notice any of the following: using ketamine more frequently, struggling to cut down or stop, needing more of the drug to get the same effect, or turning to it to manage pain or emotional distress. Physical warning signs include bladder, urinary or abdominal pain, needing to urinate more often than usual, blood in the urine, or difficulty fully emptying the bladder, all recognised markers of ketamine-related harm to the bladder. Becoming isolated from friends or family, noticing problems with memory or concentration, or experiencing changes in mental health are also flagged as reasons to reach out.

Being open with a healthcare professional about ketamine use, the film’s producers note, helps them understand what might be contributing to physical or psychological symptoms and identify the right investigations, treatment and support.

Watch and Read More

The full documentary and further information are available via Believe in People’s K-HOLE page, and further coverage of the Hull premiere is available via the Hull Daily Mail.