British Woman's Ketamine Addiction Results in Five-Month Detention in Japan
Izabel Rose, a 26-year-old British woman, has revealed how her ketamine addiction led to a five-month detention in Japan after she attempted to import the class B drug. Speaking exclusively about her ordeal, Ms. Rose described the experience as "the most traumatic thing that ever happened to me" but acknowledged it ultimately helped her overcome a dangerous dependency.
The Arrest in Osaka
In the early hours of April 12 last year, nine Japanese police officers gathered outside a hotel room in Osaka where Ms. Rose was staying. Unaware of their presence and suffering from a hangover, she opened her door to use the communal bathroom and was immediately arrested.
The arrest followed her attempt to have ketamine mailed to Japan from a friend in the UK. Ms. Rose had paid £150 for 7 grams of the substance, which was concealed inside a birthday card. Japanese authorities intercepted the package at the border, leading directly to her detention.
A Slippery Slope into Addiction
Ms. Rose first encountered ketamine during her university years. Although her initial experience made her unwell, she quickly became a regular user after moving in with a friend who frequently used the drug.
"My usage went from partying to daily very quickly, and it was a very slippery slope," she explained. What began as occasional use within London's rave scene transformed into daily consumption, sometimes while watching films on weekday evenings.
Her physical health deteriorated significantly, with abdominal cramps known as "K cramps" becoming so severe she required hospital treatment. Despite recognizing she was on a "dark path," Ms. Rose admitted being "in denial" about her addiction.
The Failed Escape Attempt
In April 2025, hoping to escape her addiction by changing environments, Ms. Rose traveled to Japan—a destination she had long wanted to visit. Tragically, her addiction followed her across continents.
"Addiction doesn't understand geography," she confessed. "Within half an hour of landing, the voice in my head took over."
She immediately began trying to source drugs, eventually arranging for ketamine to be mailed to her Japanese address. Her arrest occurred just one week later.
Five Months of Detention and Withdrawal
After admitting to drug importation, Ms. Rose was transferred to Osaka Detention Centre where she remained for five months. The initial period proved particularly difficult as she simultaneously withdrew from ketamine and processed her legal situation.
"Ketamine numbs your feelings so much that when you come off it, they all come rushing back," she described. "There were moments where I was crying and so emotional."
Despite the isolation and trauma, Ms. Rose used her detention period constructively, establishing routines involving exercise, meditation, reading about addiction, and journaling.
A Growing Crisis of Ketamine Abuse
Ms. Rose is now sharing her story to raise awareness about what she calls a "crisis" of ketamine addiction. Recent government data reveals alarming trends, with the number of children aged 17 and under reporting problems with ketamine doubling between 2021 and 2024.
Grace Willsher, head of young people's services at drug and alcohol support charity WithYou, confirmed the organization has seen more than double the number of young people seeking support for ketamine use over the past five years.
"We're concerned that the risks associated with ketamine aren't well understood," Ms. Willsher warned. "In a very short period of time, ketamine can cause permanent damage to the body, including bladder problems, mental health changes, and damage to vital organs."
Recovery and Advocacy
Following her release with a suspended sentence, Ms. Rose returned to the UK where she continues her recovery journey. She now shares her experiences on social media platform TikTok through her account @hyakuban7, aiming to destigmatize addiction and prevent others from making similar mistakes.
"I think there's such a stigma on what an addict looks like, but they are just normal people," she emphasized. "Ketamine addiction is a real crisis and we need to look at helping people in the best way possible."
Support services like WithYou offer free, non-judgmental assistance for those concerned about drug or alcohol use, with trained recovery workers available through their website chat function during specified hours.
