Study Reveals 25% of UK Residents Are Concerned a Close Person Drinks Too Much

A recent study involving two thousand respondents indicated that one in four residents in the UK fear that a spouse, relative, or close acquaintance has a drinking problem. Moreover, one in six those surveyed were anxious about a close person's use of substances.

Rising Dependency Issue

This data tend to highlight what many specialists refer to as a rising "problem" of addiction to drink or drugs such as cocaine use and cannabis.

National data indicate that the NHS in England is treating over 310,000 people per year for drug or alcohol problems – the most significant statistic recorded since 2009-10. Drink-related fatalities are at record levels.

"The epidemic of drink and substance misuse is escalating. Officials states we're consuming less alcohol, but I don't see that," commented an expert specialising in substance abuse.

The organization conducting the study has seen a significant jump since 2019 in the number of patients looking for support for substance issues, featuring more women than men.

Key Survey Findings

• Ten percent fear that they drink too much and 5% that they frequently take narcotics.
• One in four are anxious that a partner, relative, or close person drinks too much.
• One in six are concerned about a family member's consumption of narcotics.
• Families that earn more than £50,000 a year are thrice more inclined to contain a person with an substance issue.

Multi-generational Dependency

Furthermore, one in seven those surveyed indicated that substance misuse had affected more than one generation of their family. Professionals suggested that genetics might account for that, and a number of respondents may be repeating the habits of either or both of their parents.

A program named Stop the Pattern is being introduced to showcase how common family addiction is.

Authority Reaction

An official for the Office of Health and Social Care commented that the department were revitalizing NHS drug and alcohol treatment services in the country after an extended time of underfunding.

"Authorities have provided an extra 310 million pounds in the upcoming financial year to upgrade substance and drink care programs and help services in England, alongside the health funding. The strategy for change will redirect medical care towards early action, including through timely support, to help people to live longer, healthier lives across the United Kingdom," the spokesperson added.