🔗 Share this article

A comprehensive study with 2,000 respondents indicated that a quarter of individuals in the UK are concerned that a partner, family member, or friend drinks too much. Moreover, a sixth of respondents reported worries about a close person's reliance on illegal drugs.

Growing Dependency Crisis

This data appear to highlight what many specialists refer to as a growing "epidemic" of substance misuse to alcohol or drugs such as cocaine use and marijuana.

Government statistics show that the National Health Service in the country is providing care for more than three hundred ten thousand people each year for substance or drink issues – the largest statistic from over a decade ago. Alcohol-related deaths are at an all-time high.

"The issue of drink and substance misuse is getting worse. The government says people are consuming less alcohol, but it's not apparent," noted a psychiatrist focusing on dependency.

The group conducting the research has recorded a significant jump in recent years in the figure of patients seeking help for addiction, featuring increasing female participation.

Important Research Findings

• One in ten worry that themselves have a drinking problem and 5% that they use drugs too often.
• 26% are anxious that a partner, relative, or friend overindulges in drink.
• 16% are concerned about a family member's use of narcotics.
• Families that earn more than £50,000 a year are triply more likely to include someone with an substance issue.

Multi-generational Dependency

In addition, a seventh of those surveyed indicated that addiction had impacted multiple generations of their family. Experts indicated that hereditary factors might clarify that, and a number of respondents may be repeating the actions of one or two of their parents.

An initiative titled End the Cycle is being launched to emphasize how widespread multi-generational addiction can be.

Authority Statement

A spokesperson for the Office of Health and Social Care stated that they were rebuilding National Health Service drug and alcohol care programs in England after years of disregard.

"The government has allocated an additional £310 million in 2025-26 to upgrade drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in the country, in addition to the public health grant. The strategy for change will move healthcare towards prevention, featuring through prompt assistance, to help individuals to live longer, healthier lives across the United Kingdom," they said.