Doctor Warns of Ketamine’s Dangers After Emily Willis’ Devastating Medical Emergency

Emily Willis, a 26-year-old adult film star whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, has been left in a vegetative state after suffering a cardiac arrest at a California rehabilitation center. The incident, which took place at Summit Malibu, has sparked controversy and legal action, with her family filing a lawsuit against the facility and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers.

The lawsuit alleges that the rehab center failed to provide adequate medical care, leading to a devastating outcome. Willis’s family and legal representatives claim that negligence and a lack of professional intervention resulted in irreversible brain damage, leaving her semi-conscious and unable to move or speak.

Emily Willis’s Battle with Ketamine Addiction

Before entering treatment, Willis had been battling a severe ketamine addiction, reportedly consuming five to six grams of the drug per day. This prolonged substance abuse had led to serious health complications, including:

• Bladder inflammation (ketamine-induced cystitis) – causing severe pain and urinary incontinence
• Night terrors and disorientation
• Chronic anxiety and depressive disorder
• PTSD symptoms

Her decision to seek professional help was a crucial step toward recovery. However, her family argues that instead of receiving life-saving medical care, she was subjected to substandard treatment that ultimately led to her tragic condition.

The Timeline of Events Leading to Tragedy

According to the lawsuit, Willis checked into Summit Malibu on January 27, 2024, for treatment. Despite her fragile health and history of mental illness, the facility allegedly failed to address her physical decline.

Key Events Before the Cardiac Arrest

• January 27, 2024 – Willis is admitted to Summit Malibu for ketamine addiction treatment.
• January 29 – February 3, 2024 – Staff allegedly ignored or downplayed her deteriorating condition, despite signs of dehydration, disorientation, and extreme fatigue.
• February 4, 2024 – She suffers a cardiac arrest. Instead of immediately calling for emergency medical assistance, staff reportedly chose to monitor her condition internally.
• Unclear time period – A nurse finds her unconscious.
• Paramedics arrive and administer CPR for 30-40 minutes, eventually restoring her heartbeat. However, by then, her brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long, leading to permanent damage.

Family Seeks Justice: Lawsuit Claims Gross Negligence

Willis’s family has filed a wrongful negligence lawsuit against Summit Malibu and Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers. The lawsuit alleges:

• Abuse of a dependent adult
• Professional negligence
• General negligence
• Fraudulent business practices

Their attorney, James A. Morris Jr., has strongly condemned the rehab facility’s actions, stating:

“No patient should ever be subjected to such a horrendous breakdown in clinical care. The lack of emergency intervention is unacceptable.”

The lawsuit also highlights that drug tests conducted at the hospital showed Willis had not consumed ketamine or other substances prior to the cardiac arrest, contradicting any potential claims that a drug relapse was to blame.

Medical Experts Warn About the Dangers of Ketamine Abuse

Willis’s case has reignited public debate about the dangers of prolonged ketamine use and the need for proper medical intervention in addiction treatment centers.

Effects of Long-Term Ketamine Use

Dr. Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical adviser, warns that consuming large amounts of ketamine daily—as Willis reportedly did—can lead to severe, potentially irreversible damage. Some of the major health risks include:

• Ketamine-induced cystitis – causing chronic bladder pain, urinary frequency, and incontinence
• Liver and kidney damage – due to the drug’s toxicity
• Increased risk of infections – as ketamine weakens the immune system
• Heart and lung strain – elevated blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms
• Severe psychiatric symptoms – including paranoia, confusion, and hallucinations

Dr. Wylie emphasized that ketamine dependency can also lead to dissociative symptoms and memory loss, even after stopping the drug.

“Some users experience persistent hallucinatory episodes long after they’ve stopped using ketamine. The impact on mental health is significant, often leading to worsening anxiety, depression, and psychosis.”

Current Condition: Willis in a Semi-Conscious State

At present, Emily Willis remains in a vegetative state in the hospital. While she can track objects with her eyes, she remains unable to speak or move. Doctors have little optimism for a significant recovery, though her family continues to hope for improvements.

Attorney James A. Morris Jr. believes this lawsuit is about more than just justice for Willis—it’s about ensuring that rehab centers prioritize patient safety over profits.

“We hope this case serves as a wake-up call. Too many patients who should be receiving life-saving interventions are instead victims of negligence.”

The Need for Reform in Rehab Facilities

The heartbreaking case of Emily Willis highlights serious concerns regarding addiction treatment centers and their responsibility to provide proper medical care. As ketamine addiction continues to rise, experts warn that rehab centers must be equipped to handle medical emergencies effectively.

This lawsuit could pave the way for much-needed reforms in addiction treatment standards, ensuring that future patients receive the urgent medical attention they need—before it’s too late.

For more updates on this case, stay tuned.