Thomas Delaney spent years attempting to outrun a childhood defined by instability and the crushing belief that he was not “great enough to be loved.” From early suicidal ideations to a spiral into substance abuse, the 39-year-traditional’s life became a series of desperate escapes. At the nadir of his struggle, he weighed just 38kg (6st) and faced a harrowing medical reality: he was peeing blood constantly, a result of severe bladder damage caused by chronic ketamine employ.
Today, Delaney lives in Glasgow, where he works as a public speaker to raise awareness and prevent substance abuse. Having been abstinent for seven years, he describes his journey not as a sudden miracle, but as a grueling process of confronting the trauma he had spent decades trying to drown out. His story highlights a growing public health concern in the UK, where the recreational use of ketamine—a dissociative anesthetic—has surged, particularly in hotspots like Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
The trajectory of Delaney’s addiction began not with ketamine, but with a search for connection. At 17, he first tried cocaine in Barnsley town centre, falling in love with the feeling of being high and the perceived social connectivity it provided. This early dependency led to a cycle of instability: losing a sales job after collapsing at perform, fleeing to Ireland for a fresh start, and eventually returning to England, where the drug landscape had shifted.
The shift toward dissociative escape
By age 21, lonely and lacking direction, Delaney returned to Barnsley. While he had previously despised ketamine for making users seem like “zombies,” his circumstances changed when he moved in with friends, one of whom was a dealer. He began using a dangerous combination of stimulants and dissociatives, stating, “I would use cocaine to pick me up, I would use ketamine to take me down.”
This pattern of use often mirrors a broader trend. According to data cited by consultant urologist Alison Downey, there has been a concerning rise in ketamine cases hitting urology wards in England and Wales. Delaney believes the drug’s affordability and its ability to allow users to “lose themselves” made it an attractive escape for many, particularly those struggling with the isolation and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
The physical toll of this addiction was catastrophic. Chronic ketamine use can lead to “ketamine cystitis,” a condition where the bladder lining is severely damaged. For Delaney, this manifested as constant hematuria—peeing blood—and a loss of bladder control so severe that he eventually had to urinate in a bucket when visiting his mother due to the fact that he could not reach the bathroom in time.
The illusion of stability
For several years, Delaney managed a “functional” addiction. He secured a corporate role in the education sector, an opportunity that almost vanished due to his criminal convictions for drug possession. He discovered a loophole in the company’s random drug testing: the tests did not screen for ketamine. “So instantly my brain was like: well, you have to just use ket and you’ll be fine,” he recalls.
This facade crumbled in 2018 when he was made redundant. Without the structure of a job or the “fancy suits” to hide behind, Delaney plummeted into homelessness, living first in his car and eventually in a field. Following several suicide attempts, he finally admitted the truth to a doctor: “I’m a drug addict.”
The turning point came through a volatile argument with his mother, which forced him to realize that running away to London or Ireland was no longer a viable strategy. On November 2, 2018, at age 32, he entered a rehabilitation centre in Glasgow. He specifically chose this location to avoid local drug contacts and because the facility offered en suite rooms—a necessity given his chronic bladder issues.
Beyond the ‘magic wand’ of rehab
Recovery was not the seamless transition often portrayed in media. Delaney spent six and a half months in rehab, describing it as one of the hardest periods of his life. He faced skepticism from some staff who felt he wasn’t a “proper junkie” because he wasn’t addicted to a Class A drug like heroin. He also notes that rehabs are not always the safe havens they are assumed to be, mentioning that he encountered heroin for the first time while in treatment.
We have this perception that you go to rehab, someone waves a magic wand and you never use drugs again. I wish that was the case
Despite these challenges, the support of dedicated staff helped him achieve long-term abstinence. Since leaving, Delaney has transformed his life, earning a first-class degree in community education from the University of Glasgow and pursuing a master’s degree. He has also develop into a father, a role he says gives him a profound sense of purpose.
Addressing the root causes
Now working with the NHS, the police, and the National Crime Agency, Delaney argues that clinical treatment is only one part of the solution. He contends that substance abuse is deeply tied to economic deprivation and poverty. “We require rehabs. We need support workers,” he says. “But unless the environment is changing, what’s the point?”
His mission is to normalize the possibility of recovery, though he remains honest about the stakes. He recalls that in the seven years since he left rehab, he can name 20 to 30 people from the same service who have since died.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use, please consult a healthcare professional.
Crisis Resources:
- UK: Taking Action on Addiction or Samaritans at 116 123.
- US: SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 988.
- Australia: National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline at 1800 250 015.
As Delaney continues his master’s studies and community work, he remains focused on the belief that no matter how far someone has fallen, change is possible. His ongoing academic research and public speaking engagements serve as the next phase of his commitment to breaking the cycle of addiction for others.
We invite you to share your thoughts or experiences with recovery in the comments below.
