A 25-YEAR-OLD Dorset man is speaking out about his recovery from ketamine addiction in a bid to help others seek support.

Leon is sharing his experience through the ‘Forget The Ket’ campaign, opening up about how recreational use at university spiralled into dependency fuelled by trauma and mental health struggles.

First introduced to ketamine by other students, Leon said the drug quickly took hold.

“As a tranquilliser, you’re very powerless, very vulnerable when on it,” he explained. “It’s very unpredictable. You never really know how it’s going to turn out.

“My experience was it’s like sort of the walls were closing in, whatever room I was in was like a small sort of claustrophobic box. The walls would shift. It made me very paranoid. I’d be confused about what was going on.

“I very quickly had sort of a physical dependence on it. I’d get withdrawals, sweating, shaking, headaches. Also, I’d get nosebleeds, it’s quite harsh on your nostrils.”

Recognising the harm it was causing, Leon made the decision to seek help.

Since stopping, he says his life has stabilised dramatically.

“Since stopping, I don’t have that emotional distress, that constant thinking about it, planning, stressing about how I’m going to get more or how I’m going to function,” he said.

“I don’t show up to work still on the effects of it. I’m able to function, have mental clarity and be present.”

He credits 12-step programmes, particularly Narcotics Anonymous, with transforming his life.

Leon added: “I found my recovery through 12 steps support groups, and that was the best decision I’ve made.

“For me it’s been Narcotics Anonymous and that’s completely changed my life. That’s been what’s kept me clean and has given me a reason to want to live, to strive to live and to work on myself and to connect with others and be a part of society.”

Now volunteering with Clarity, Dorset’s Lived Experience Recovery Organisation, Leon hopes sharing his story will challenge stigma and encourage others to ask for help.

Free and confidential support is available through Reach (Dorset Council area) on 0800 043 4656 or WithYou (BCP Council area) on 01202 558855.