How to help a friend who uses ketamine
Worried about a friend who’s taking ket? You can make a real difference. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you certainly don’t have to deal with it alone.
Do
- Pick a good moment.
Have a chat when they’re sober and you’re somewhere private and relaxed, not in the middle of a party.
- Lead with care.
Try saying, “I’ve noticed you’re taking ket quite a lot lately, and I’m a bit worried about you.” That’s much more likely to start a conversation than calling them an addict or telling them off.
- Listen.
Ask them what they think ket does for them. Do they believe it helps them relax, have fun or fit in? Listen without arguing. Understanding why they take it can help you talk about those beliefs together.
Help them see through the trap.
It’s tempting to try to scare someone into stopping, but fear and lectures can backfire. They can make someone feel stressed or defensive, and stress may be one of the reasons they reach for ket in the first place. Making something seem forbidden can sometimes even add to its appeal.
Instead, help them question what they think ket is doing for them. Is it really making their nights better? Do they actually need it to have fun? You could share this booklet with them and let them make up their own mind.
- Do other stuff together.
Invite them out, make plans and include them in things that don’t involve ket. Show them that your friendship, and having fun together, doesn’t depend on taking anything.
- Point them to help.
Share this booklet or suggest FRANK, the H23 Foundation or Allen Carr’s Easyway. If they’re experiencing physical symptoms or struggling with their use, encourage them to speak to a GP or local young people’s drug service. You could even offer to go with them.
- Tell a trusted adult.
If you’re seriously worried about your friend, speak to a trusted adult, even if you’re concerned your friend might be annoyed with you. It might feel like you’re grassing them up, but looking out for someone’s safety isn’t betrayal. It’s true friendship.
Don’t
- Use with them to keep them company or “keep an eye on them”.
- Lend them money for ket.
- Keep dangerous secrets, such as them talking about harming themselves.
- Carry it all on your own. Supporting a friend is hard; talk to someone you trust too.
If they’re in danger, call 999. If a friend tells you they’re thinking about ending their life, tell a trusted adult straight away or call Samaritans on 116 123.
What program is right for you?
Both programs are a form of spoken therapy delivered in simple English with no scare stories or images.
Both cover the illusions of the addiction/issue, question your beliefs, provide insights into why you think as you do, shows you how to gain freedom and changes the way you will think about the addiction/issue so that you can leave free without any feeling of loss or battle of wills.
The 1-2-1 seminars are a live one-day course delivered by trained facilitators, all of whom quitted with the method. They are delivered either online via Zoom or at a center and are one to one seminars. There are shorter booster seminars that are different to the first seminar for the few that require them. There is also a money-back guarantee.
The online video is a pre-recorded program that can be streamed to your device. There are version for quitting cannabis or cocaine and are all presented by a facilitator who has helped thousands of people to freedom. They can be accessed anywhere and at anytime.
