Mother mourns daughter's death on ketamine addiction wait-list, urges faster NHS access

A heartbroken mother says her daughter Beth Ashton died aged 25 while on a waiting list to receive help for a hidden ketamine addiction. Beth, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, began using the Class B drug to cope after a traumatic stillbirth at 38 weeks with her baby, Roman. Described by friends as vibrant and known for her sharp humor and selfless spirit, Beth kept her addiction hidden from those around her, including her mother, who believed she was coping remarkably well in the wake of her loss.

Her mother, Natalie Ashton, 44, says she only grew concerned when Beth started complaining of stomach cramps in August 2024, though she attributed the pain to Beth’s prior pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. Over the following three months, Beth’s health deteriorated dramatically: she dropped to five stone and became fully incontinent, a side-effect that often accompanies chronic ketamine use and can damage the bladder. “Ketamine destroyed my life and my family. It robbed me of my baby,” Natalie said, expressing anger at what she sees as a lack of awareness and support for the drug’s dangers. Beth’s family says she spent about £60 a day on the drug, which she reportedly used to feel better during nights out with friends before its use became daily and compulsive.

As Beth’s health deteriorated, she confided in Natalie about her long-term ketamine use. Natalie said the drug “sucked the life” out of her daughter, who became extremely thin and frail before her sudden death in November last year. Beth had reportedly reached a point where she could not walk, was incontinent, and wore adult diapers. Natalie recalled how Beth would withdraw from family and friends, and how a dealer would sometimes leave the drug in her letterbox as she remitted payment. She added that Beth hid the addiction from everyone for as long as she could, and that the system’s delays and complexity left her with no timely pathway to treatment.

Beth was admitted to hospital in August 2024 with cramps, and Natalie shortly thereafter fought to secure support in September and October. By November, the family says Beth remained on a waiting list for addiction services and was not on a clear trajectory toward treatment when she died on November 9, found by her father at home. “Her little body just gave out,” Natalie said. She is now determined to raise awareness about the dangers of ketamine and to advocate for faster access to care, warning other parents to look for signs such as frequent urination, cramps, and possible powder residue on a child’s nose. Her ultimate goal is to create a local hub where young people can find a safe space to discuss addiction and obtain timely referrals for treatment.

Ketamine, commonly known as ‘K,’ is a powerful general anesthetic that has become a popular party drug in recent decades. It can cause a loss of sensation, muscle paralysis, hallucinations, and distortions in reality. Regular use can seriously damage the bladder, potentially resulting in surgical removal in extreme cases. Other risks include a raised heart rate and blood pressure, and impaired pain perception that may lead to injuries being overlooked. In medical use, ketamine is liquid, while street forms are typically a grainy white powder. It is currently classified as a Class B substance, with penalties for supplying or producing the drug up to 14 years in prison and possession penalties up to five years, alongside unlimited fines. The government has said it is seeking expert guidance on reclassifying ketamine to Class A amid rising illegal use.

Natalie said Beth’s death underscores the dangers of hidden addiction and the need for quicker, more accessible treatment options. “Beth was my best friend,” she told reporters, noting how the loss of her daughter’s baby had set Beth on a difficult path that was worsened by slow access to care. “Parents should be looking for signs of frequent urination, cramps, and powder on their child’s nose.” Natalie added that she hopes to build a local support network to help other families navigate referrals and treatment. Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust declined to comment on the case.