Medicine and Science from The BMJ The plan for NHS league tables is bad, and will lead to unintended consequences
11 snips
Jun 16, 2025 The rising concern of ketamine addiction among UK youth takes center stage, with experts discussing its dual role as both a recreational and therapeutic drug. The podcast critiques the UK government's proposal for hospital league tables, warning that linking performance to outcomes may harm genuine healthcare quality. Experts share insights on how such rankings can create accountability issues and erode clinical autonomy, stressing the need for a more supportive approach in healthcare management.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ketamine Dosage and Tolerance
- Ketamine's recreational dose is significantly higher than its therapeutic dose, with chronic users consuming grams instead of milligrams.
- Tolerance develops quickly, forcing users to increase doses, heightening physical and mental health risks.
Ketamine Addiction Symptoms
- Key signs of ketamine addiction include tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, loss of control, and life preoccupation.
- Severe addiction can lead to neglecting basic needs like eating, worsening health outcomes.
Chronic Ketamine Effects and Withdrawal
- Chronic ketamine use causes lasting physical and mental effects, including hallucinations and urinary system damage.
- Withdrawal can cause intense abdominal pain, often poorly managed by typical painkillers, creating a vicious cycle.