Young Woman Dies from Ketamine Addiction After Tragic Loss

A young woman, 25-year-old Beth Ashton, tragically died from complications linked to a ketamine addiction that developed following the loss of her unborn child. Her death on November 9, 2024, left her family devastated, particularly her mother, Natalie Ashton, who described her daughter as “funny” and “selfless”.

Beth’s struggle with ketamine began after a traumatic stillbirth in 2019. Natalie recounted the harrowing experience: “She suffered from preeclampsia. When we went to the hospital, her son had already passed away, and she had to give birth to him.” The couple spent five days with their son, whom they named Roman, in a cold cot before he deteriorated rapidly. This event marked the beginning of Beth’s downhill spiral into addiction.

In the months following Roman’s death, Natalie thought her daughter was coping well with the trauma. “I was in awe of how well she was dealing with such traumatic events,” she stated. Unbeknownst to her, Beth was using ketamine to mask her pain. As Natalie explained, “Ketamine makes you feel good, it stops anxiety, it stops depression. But it’s killing your insides.”

Beth’s addiction became apparent when she began to show significant weight loss, which she concealed with loose clothing. Her health rapidly declined after experiencing her first pain flare-up in 2020, leading to multiple medical appointments. Initially, doctors believed she was suffering from kidney damage due to her preeclampsia. However, she was later diagnosed with a severe condition known as “ketamine bladder syndrome,” which resulted from extensive ketamine use.

Natalie described her daughter’s condition: “Her bladder shrunk to the point it could only hold 30ml, the size of a shot glass.” As Beth’s health deteriorated, she began passing tissue in her urine, an indication of severe damage. Despite being prescribed morphine, it provided little relief from her excruciating pain. Natalie recalled, “She would be lying on the floor, crippled, for hours.”

The true extent of Beth’s health issues surfaced in September 2024 when she was hospitalized at Southport Hospital. Natalie was shocked by her daughter’s appearance, stating, “When I went to visit her, she looked like she’d just come out of a concentration camp.” After a brief three-day stay, Beth was discharged and referred to the Inspire Drug and Alcohol Service.

Despite moving back in with her mother to focus on recovery, Beth continued using ketamine to alleviate her pain. “She was journaling her plans to get clean. But the help just didn’t come in time,” Natalie lamented. Tragically, Beth’s health continued to decline, and she died just two months after her hospital discharge.

Natalie recounted the heartbreaking moment when her husband discovered Beth’s body. “He knew as soon as he saw her,” she said. “My baby was in agony, and her little body just gave out.” By the end of her life, Beth weighed less than five stone (approximately 31.75 kg), a clear indicator of her severe health decline.

In the wake of her daughter’s death, Natalie has taken proactive steps to raise awareness about ketamine addiction. She established the West Lancs Ketamine Awareness & Support Facebook page, aimed at helping families affected by similar struggles. “I feel like I need to turn this pain into something positive,” she expressed, emphasizing the importance of education regarding the risks of ketamine.

Natalie highlighted that many young people, including those as young as 15 and 16, are unaware of the dangers associated with ketamine. “Beth was my best friend. She was so funny, she was always there for others,” Natalie recalled, noting the irony of Beth’s vibrant personality contrasting with her tragic fate.

She urged others to understand the risks associated with ketamine, emphasizing its deceptive nature as a party drug. “You don’t realize it’s already causing damage. You don’t know until it’s too late,” she warned. The allure of ketamine, combined with its low cost and accessibility, poses a significant risk for young users.

As families like Natalie’s continue to navigate the devastating effects of ketamine addiction, Natalie remains hopeful that her advocacy will help prevent further tragedies. Through her efforts, she aims to ensure that Beth’s death is not in vain, advocating for awareness and support for those struggling with addiction.