What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction affects many areas of a person’s life, and relationships are no exception. When you are addicted to drugs, your life gradually becomes more concerned with using and obtaining the substance. This can lead to a neglect of other responsibilities, including effort in relationships. Addiction can make it difficult to maintain respect, trust, and open communication – key elements to any healthy relationship, whether it be romantic or friendship-based. Reported drug use in the UK is at its highest prevalence in over 10 years. This is one of the highest prevalence rates of drug misuse in Europe and hugely increases the risk of addiction. The prevalence of illicit drug use in adults between the ages of 16 and 59 is:

• Twelve per cent in Scotland
• Four per cent in England
• Four per cent in Wales
• Nine per cent in Northern Ireland

So, what exactly is drug addiction and how can you spot the problem. There are tell-tale signs of a serious problem that can be spotted easily to plan future steps and a potential intervention.

The Facts

According to government statistics, 275,896 adults contacted drugs and alcohol services to seek help with their addiction between April 2020 and March 2021. This is a slight increase in numbers from the previous year at 270,705. The number of adults entering drug addiction treatment during 2020 to 2021 remained similar to the previous year, with 68 per cent being men. In the 2020 to 2021 report, 56 per cent of people seeking assistance were over 40. The median age for people undergoing treatment for opioids was 42 and for non-opioids – 30.

Hospitalisation for Drug Misuse

A 2020 NHS report covering the population of England and Wales showed a decline in hospital admissions for drug-related behavioural and mental disorders, dropping five per cent from the year before.
Between 2019 and 2020, 16,994 people were admitted to hospital due to poisoning by drug misuse, representing a six per cent on an annual basis. A similar number of women and men were treated for drug poisoning. Middlesbrough had the highest rates for poisoning by drug misuse at a rate of 106 per 100,000 of its population.

Statistics on Cannabis Use

Cannabis is the most misused drug in the UK by far, with 7.6 per cent of adults using the substance in 2018/2019. This number is high among young adults, with 17.3 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 partaking in cannabis use.
Marijuana is an addictive substance and can lead to dependency, resulting in 27,304 people receiving support for cannabis abuse in 2020-2021.

Statistics on Cocaine Use

The second most commonly used drug across the population is cocaine, with 2.9 per cent of adults using it in its powdered form – the highest this number has been since 2008 to 2009. This is a Class A drug, meaning a controlled substance considered by Parliament to be most harmful. In 2018-2019, around 1.3 million adults took Class A drugs, equalling around one in 25people.
Depending on its method of administration, cocaine addiction and abuse can result in serious short and long-term negative health impacts. These range from a loss of smell, to a pulmonary haemorrhage, to possible death via overdose.

Statistics on Nitrous Oxide Use

Nitrous oxide – also known as laughing gas, balloons, NOS, and N2O – is a colourless gas creates a head high when abused. The Home Office reports this drug to be the third most taken in the UK (2.3 per cent), though it’s the second most common among people aged 16 to24.
Taking this drug can cause damage to the brain as users cut off its proper oxygen supply when inhaling the gas. Abusing nitrous oxide can invoke feelings of dissociation, nausea, weakness in the legs, and long-term impaired cognition and memory problems.

GOV.UK found the number of people entering treatment overall has remained relatively stable across the UK since 2013. Excluding alcohol, the rates of admission per drug category have seen some changes in the last year. The number of people entering treatment during 2020-2021 for:

• opioids remained relatively stable on an annual basis
• crack cocaine has fallen and is at its lowest since 2016/2017
• powdered cocaine has decreased by 10 per cent
• cannabis has increased by five per cent
• benzodiazepine has risen by six per cent
• ketamine has increased by 27 per cent on an annual basis

Recognising a Problem in Others

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person abusing the substance.
Maybe you are noticing changes in a loved one’s health, relationships, or social functioning and are worried about the direction their life is going in.
Should these changes be attributed to addiction? Here’s how to find out:

Changes in Mood or Personality

Addiction is likely to cause changes in mood or personality. Someone you once knew very well could now be acting in uncharacteristic ways like exhibiting:

• Dishonest or secretive behaviour. Your loved one may have become less talkative and eager to share.
• Signs of a new or aggravated psychological condition. A loved one could appear depressed or anxious.
• Aggressive behaviour, especially when they find themselves incapable of obtaining the drug.

When to Seek Help for Drug Addiction

​​Are you dealing with substance abuse? See if the following checklist applies to you:

• You have a higher tolerance to the drug e.g., you need to take more of a substance to feel the same effects
• A lot of your time is spent thinking about the substance and how you will get more
• You experience cravings for the drug
• You feel unpleasant and not yourself when the drug wears off
• You have withdrawn yourself from the things you once enjoyed
• You are stealing or borrowing money to obtain drugs
• You attempt to hide your drug use and its effects
• Your sleeping or eating habits have drastically changed
• You continue to use the drug despite the negative consequences
• You have a new social circle to accommodate your drug use
• You are abusing prescribed-medications, or requesting medications for illnesses you do not have

We understand that acknowledging addiction is very challenging. That’s a brave first step and the most important one you’ll need to make. At Providence Projects, we can offer guidance and comprehensive therapeutic assistance once a realisation has been made. Having helped over 10,000 people overcome addiction successfully, we’re confident in our ability to pinpoint the recovery steps bound to maximise the chances of long-term success and sobriety.