The documentary, presented by Stacey Dooley, explores ketamine addiction and recovery in Burnley, where Acorn Recovery Projects has developed a dedicated ketamine programme to support younger people.

Burnley’s pioneering ketamine recovery work has featured in a new Stacey Dooley BBC Three documentary.

Part of the documentary was filmed with Acorn Recovery Projects, at its Burnley service, and explored ketamine addiction, treatment and recovery. It comes amid growing concern about ketamine use among younger people.

The UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs reported in January this year that illicit ketamine use has continued to increase, particularly among younger people. Public health guidance says 18 to 24 year olds have the highest rates of use and that the number of people entering drug treatment for ketamine use is now eight times higher than a decade ago.

Frequent ketamine use can lead to dependence, while sustained use can cause serious bladder and urinary tract damage. Other harms can include chronic abdominal pain,memory problems and dissociation.

Acorn has been at the forefront of developing specialist responses to these changing needs, becoming one of the first services to develop a dedicated ketamine programme.

Its work has grown from peer-led support and changes within residential rehabilitation to specialist pathways and, more recently, a dedicated ketamine support service across Lancashire.

Sarah Tattersall, Head of Operations for Acorn Recovery Projects, said: “We see first-hand the impact ketamine can have on people and their families, and increasingly this is an issue affecting younger people.

“That creates a particular challenge for the recovery sector. We can’t simply assume that approaches developed around more established patterns of drug and alcohol use will always work for younger people experiencing problems with ketamine.

“We need to understand why and how people are using it, what they’re experiencing and what will make support relevant and accessible to them.

“That’s one of the reasons we wanted Acorn to be involved in this documentary. It gives us an opportunity to bring what we’re learning through our work into a much bigger national conversation, but also to make sure recovery is part of that conversation. We see every day what can happen when somebody gets the right support and starts to believe recovery is possible.

“For Acorn, having this work seen by a national audience means a great deal. People across our services have put so much into understanding and responding to ketamine use, and I’m incredibly proud that their work, and the value lived experience brings to recovery, is being given this platform.”

Part of Burnley’s Calico Group, Acorn is a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation delivering peer led recovery support.