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Family of Drag Star The Vivienne Reveal Secret Ketamine Addiction Following Tragic Death
The family of celebrated drag performer James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, have disclosed the entertainer’s clandestine battle with ketamine addiction. The devastating revelation comes after Williams’s untimely demise in January, attributed to cardiac arrest linked to the recreational use of ketamine, a potent anesthetic and party drug. This disclosure sheds light on the hidden struggles behind the glitz and glamour, and the escalating concerns surrounding ketamine misuse.
Discovery of Addiction and Relapse
Chanel, Williams’s sister, revealed that the family first became aware of James’s substance abuse issues during their appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. In a candid moment aired during the series, The Vivienne openly confessed to viewers about a four-year struggle with ‘party drugs’.
‘I couldn’t leave the drugs at the party, it was constant,’ the drag star admitted tearfully on the show.
The Vivienne had previously described the grip of ketamine, stating it had become ‘breakfast, lunch and dinner’ during the peak of the addiction. This period of intense drug use led to multiple hospitalizations, with three instances occurring within a single month.
While Williams achieved a period of abstinence, a subsequent relapse was kept concealed from the family. Chanel expressed the anguish of not knowing the extent of the renewed struggle, and the painful questions it raises in the wake of their sibling’s passing.
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Unanswered Questions and Raising Awareness
Chanel now grapples with the haunting question of whether earlier intervention could have altered the tragic outcome. ‘Had I asked the questions or just looked for the signs, would the outcome be different?’ she shared with the BBC, highlighting the agonizing uncertainty faced by bereaved loved ones.
James Lee Williams, only 32 years old, was discovered deceased at their residence in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester. Law enforcement confirmed the absence of suspicious circumstances, with the subsequent family statement clarifying that cardiac arrest, induced by ketamine, was the cause of death.
Stigma and Seeking Help
Despite public declarations about past substance use, Chanel believes James’s flourishing career might have hindered their ability to seek help during the relapse. ‘He was at the height of everything he was doing and I think because he’d said it in such an open platform, it’s really difficult to come back and say you’re struggling again,’ Chanel explained, emphasizing the pressure of maintaining a public image.
The family is now committed to confronting the stigma associated with addiction as a tribute to James’s legacy. Chanel articulated the core issue: ‘It’s hard for me because I think if that stigma wasn’t there, would my brother have sought the help he needed?’
‘To think that if we’d known, or if he’d have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome could’ve been different,’ she lamented.
Call for Ketamine Reclassification
In light of the tragedy, the family is advocating for governmental action to reclassify ketamine as a Class A drug, elevating it from its current Class B status. This change would align ketamine’s legal classification with substances like cocaine and heroin, imposing stricter penalties for possession, supply, and production.
The affordability of ketamine, reportedly comparable to a takeaway coffee, coupled with its Class B designation leading to lenient sentencing, has contributed to its prevalence among drug dealers. Chanel emphasized that drug classification acts as a perceived risk indicator for some young individuals, leading them to underestimate the dangers of ketamine.
‘If I can help one family to not feel what we are feeling, then it’s all worth it,’ Chanel stated, underscoring the family’s dedication to preventing similar tragedies.
Rising Ketamine Use and Health Concerns
Government ministers are currently consulting with experts regarding the potential reclassification of ketamine, prompted by escalating concerns about its increasing usage among young people. Data reveals a significant surge in ketamine dependence cases seeking support from NHS drug and alcohol services, doubling from 1,140 in 2019 to 2,211 in 2023.
Rehabs UK has also reported a substantial increase in inquiries related to ketamine addiction, representing 30 per cent of inquiries in 2024, up from 15 per cent in the previous year.
Ketamine’s Appeal and Risks
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that 4.8 per cent of 20 to 24-year-olds in England and Wales admitted to using ketamine in the past year. This statistic emerges even as younger generations are increasingly avoiding other recreational drugs like cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA.
Nearly 7 per cent of individuals aged 16-24 have experimented with ‘Ket’, commonly used in nightlife and rave scenes. This contrasts sharply with previous generations, where only 2.3 per cent of Gen X individuals had tried the substance before the turn of the century. Originally developed as an anesthetic for animals and humans, ketamine‘s recreational use has expanded significantly.
Ketamine Therapy and Matthew Perry’s Death
Ketamine has also gained attention for its potential therapeutic applications in mental health treatment over recent years. The drug affects glutamate levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter regulating mood, learning, memory, and cognitive functions.
Ketamine therapy utilizes low doses of the drug to stimulate glutamate activity, combined with psychotherapy to facilitate emotional processing. Proponents suggest that ketamine enhances emotional openness and receptivity to therapeutic interventions.
This treatment approach has garnered endorsements from high-profile figures; however, ketamine therapy was also linked to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who died by accidental drowning with ketamine noted as a contributing factor.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine Uses and Side Effects
- Anesthetic: Primarily used as a powerful general anesthetic for medical and veterinary purposes to induce pain relief and sedation during procedures.
- Recreational Drug: Emerged as a party drug in the late 2000s, used to heighten experiences at raves and social events.
- Side Effects: Can cause loss of sensation, muscle paralysis, hallucinations, distorted reality (‘k-hole’), panic attacks, confusion, and memory impairment. Long-term use can lead to severe bladder damage requiring surgical intervention.
- Physical Risks: Can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure. Paralysis and reduced pain sensitivity increase risk of injury.
- Withdrawal: Reportedly severe, potentially leading to intense depression and suicidal ideation.
Legal Status and Availability
- Classification: Currently a Class B drug in the UK.
- Medical Use: Legally available for medical applications, including anesthesia and treatment-resistant depression (FDA-approved in 2019 in specific clinical settings).
- Illicit Forms: Commonly found as a grainy white powder in the illegal drug market, increasing risks of contamination, particularly with fentanyl.
Ketamine-Related Deaths
- Data Scarcity: Official data on ketamine-related deaths is less readily available compared to opioids or cocaine.
- Low Numbers Compared to Other Drugs: Fatality numbers are significantly lower than drugs like fentanyl, which caused tens of thousands of deaths in recent years.