Martin Preston is the founder and chief executive of Delamere, a pioneering addiction treatment and behavioural health provider with extensive experience supporting guests with ketamine dependence, following the tragic death and inquest of 22-year-old Isabelle Sapherson-Moralee.
Delamere’s compassionate, evidence-led treatment model combines clinical care, therapeutic expertise, holistic practice and long-term aftercare.
He said: “This is an incredibly sad case and first and foremost our thoughts are with this young woman’s family and everyone affected by her death.
“At Delamere, we have seen a marked rise in guests needing support for ketamine dependency in recent years, and one of the most worrying things is how entrenched that dependency can be by the time someone reaches treatment.
“Ketamine is sometimes spoken about casually, particularly among younger people, but it can cause serious physical, psychological and emotional harm. The earlier people recognise the signs and seek help, the better.
“Warning signs can include using ketamine more regularly, relying on it to cope with stress or difficult feelings, feeling unable to stop, becoming isolated, losing interest in normal activities, struggling at work or at home, and relationships beginning to break down.
“There can also be psychological signs, including anxiety, depression, confusion, memory problems, paranoia, hallucinations, risk-taking behaviour, or feeling detached from your body or surroundings.
“For families and friends, the important thing is not to wait until everything has reached crisis point. If someone’s use has changed from occasional to regular, if they are organising life around the drug, or if they no longer seem able to cope without it, that is a moment to step in with care.
“That conversation should not begin with shame or judgement. Addiction often has roots in pain, trauma, stress or emotional overwhelm. A calm, direct conversation can help someone feel less attacked and more able to accept support.
“Ketamine dependency can be treated, but it needs the right help. At Delamere, guests are supported first to stop using safely, before beginning therapeutic work to understand what sits underneath the addiction and build healthier ways to cope.
“The message to families is simple: trust your instincts, look for changes in behaviour, and ask for help early. You do not have to wait for a crisis before taking action.”
