Substance Use and Addiction in the UK

Substance Use and Addiction in the UK

According to the global reports on substance abuse given by the UNODC, about 155-200 million persons, or 3.5-5.7 percent of people aged between 15-64 have used substance (Fox, 2020). It is important to mention that prevalence of substance misuse and addiction in the UK is high (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, 2022). Each year, over 4 million people in the United Kingdom are estimated to take illicit drugs, with cannabis by far the most popular substance, preceded by cocaine and ecstasy (Independent Expert Working Group, 2017). Similarly, an estimated 3.2million people in the UK had used drugs in the last year, with 2.1% of the population thought to be ‘frequent’ drug users (Independent Expert Working Group, 2017). Over 275,896 adults contacted drug and alcohol services in the UK in 2021 (GOV.UK, 2021). The consumption of alcohol and other illicit substances increased during the pandemic, and many believed the pressure of the new normal was the cause of this increase.

Addiction

The term addiction has Latin origins and connotes a slave-like attachment to something or someone (Smith, 2020). Addiction is the continued use of a substance or activity despite the significant harm it is presently causing since the use was beneficial or pleasurable in the past. (American Addiction Centre, 2013). Similarly, it implies obsessively devoting oneself to a practice, or anything that becomes a psychological or physical habit, such as opioids, to the point where its discontinuation causes significant distress (Sussman & Sussman, 2011).

Substance use

Substance abuse is frequently used to refer to the usage of illegal substances including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. It is important to note that these substances are banned due to their great potential for misuse and their potentially deadly negative effects. The most frequently used definition is a habit of dangerous use of any substance for the intention of changing one’s mood. In another vein, it implies the excessive use of a substance, particularly alcohol or a controlled narcotic (Charles, 2021).

Health Implications of Substance use and addiction

Each year, substance use does immense harm to public health and safety worldwide, jeopardizing the peaceful development and smooth operation of several societies. Physical health disorders such as heart disease, seizures, stroke, and cancer can be exacerbated by substance addiction (Smith, 2020). Even when mental health issues frequently co-occur with substance abuse, it can also aggravate or cause the beginning of some diseases. It should be noted that substance use can result in depression and feeling of anxiety which can in turn affect the physical wellbeing of people. This implies that there is a nexus between mental and physical health (Smith, 2020).

Substance misuse may also increase the chances of an individual to engage in risky behaviours including driving while intoxicated and unprotected sex. Also, in situations when the mother is an addict, substance use has been connected to domestic violence and the loss of pregnancies. Additionally, addicts have a significant likelihood of experiencing financial difficulties and interpersonal difficulties. Substance use by Parents can result in child neglect, and exposure to these substances can adversely affect a child’s social development. Apart from health implications, substance users represent significant security concerns to others in their immediate vicinity and the environment.

Vulnerabilities/Risk Factors

It is pertinent to note that substance abuse can be caused by a variety of variables, including genetics, peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, poverty, the environment, amongst others.

It is pertinent to note that peer pressure is a significant risk factor of substance use and addiction because substance use is considered a highly social behaviour. Most addicts get introduced to substance use in their teenage and adolescent years by their peers. The teenage and adolescence years signifies a vital period to prevent the consumption of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) consumption. Early initiation and regular use are often connected with harmful consequences, including as academic difficulties, early sexual encounters, and delinquent behaviour. The continuous use of substance during this developmental phase could result in serious mental and physical health issues (D’Amico et al., 2013). Much research shows that peer’s impact teenage substance usage, and that peer influence increases in high school. It is also at this period that teenagers who are aware of their peers’ usage of substances are more likely to increase their own use.

It should be noted that parents and guardians have a significant impact on the development of teenagers in a variety of ways, including providing support, communicating morals and values, and regulating the activities children engage in. A report by SAMHSA (2012) around 91% percent of teenagers believe that substance use would be disapproved by their parents. The structure of a family also impacts on substance use by teenagers and a nuclear family or a family where both parents are available is perceived to be a protective factor. In agreement, Ewing (2015) argue that the family structure is a vital factor, but the parenting style and relationship between parents and children can also influence subsequent substance use by children. Monitoring by parents, including setting standards for substance and alcohol use is a good strategy. Protecting children from the possible consequences of drug usage is a priority in the United Kingdom. Substance use and addiction by parents poses a serious threat to children. After birth, children exposed to illegal substances may have substantial issues that require further care, resulting in both personal and societal expenditures. The exposure of children to drugs could result in sexual and physical abuse and it could make them have higher rates of depression and anxiety (Bradford, 2012). It is more likely for Parents who use substance to reside in neighbourhoods where friends, relatives and strangers use substances.

Substance abuse and poverty are frequently inextricably related in a variety of ways. People living in poverty may turn to substance use as an avenue to relieve stress. Similarly, the relationship between substance use, addition and poverty can also work in the inverse direction: drug abuse can deplete users’ income, leading to a lack of care for family and loved ones and other responsibilities. It should be noted that it is more likely for unemployed youths to be engaged in substance use. Persons with low salaries frequently spend their money on drugs, alcohol, or tobacco rather than on food, clothing, and shelter. It should also be noted that substance users and addicts may find it difficult to access adequate health care and support in poor neighbourhoods.

The environment has a strong influence on substance use and addiction. According to Reed et al., (2007), a university environment – which involves little or no adult supervision – can play a significant role in use initiation during this period of life. This is because a student who is surrounded by students who use substance could easily be initiated overtime because it is the norm. For example, it has been demonstrated that, in contrast to non-users, the users of ecstasy are more likely to spend more of their time in socializing and participating in clubs and associations, indicating that use by students takes place within a social setting, where the impact of peer pressure is higher. University students are at risk of extensive substance use and a variety of potentially severe negative effects of substance use that can affect their health, social, and academic performance (Bennett, 2014). Compared to their non-student counterparts, students between the ages of 20 and 22 use drugs at a higher rate, showing that the combination of this age and student status is a risk factor for increased substance use (McAlaney et al., 2021). Students’ use of legal and illegal narcotics can have a wide range of detrimental effects on their academic, social, and physical health. Driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances is a common occurrence for students.

Socio-economic implication and service provision

It is worth noting that there is evidence of rising substance abuse among ethnic minority kids in the UK, particularly Black people (Rassol, 2006). In the same vein, these minorities are underrepresented in substance abuse treatment and research in the United Kingdom, and they lack equal access to healthcare (Holland, 2020). These individuals are primarily from low-income neighbourhoods that lack access to these health care systems, and they also cannot afford some medications and treatments due to their poor income (Black, 2016). This means that the socio-economic status of Black and minority ethnic groups places them at risk of substance misuse. These communities often have gang related issues and high crime rate which pushes many young people into consuming alcohol and drug abuse (National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, 2003). According to report from the Black, (2016) and National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (2003), substance misusers from Black communities are underrepresented as clients in most drug treatment services. Also, these communities lack awareness regarding the availability and how to access substance related treatment. In the same vein, some people refuse treatment because some social service providers do not have a diverse work force. This means that the ethnicity of the drug or service providers influences the chances of residents to seek treatment.

Regulation/Government effort

It is important to note that it is unlawful to possess, supply, create, import, or export cannabis in the United Kingdom under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). This policy was adopted to curb the incessant production and distribution of drugs in the United Kingdom which would in turn reduce its economic implication. The government’s new drug-fighting strategy lays out a big, long-term plan for the next decade (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). It aims to reduce crime and drug supply and demand by enrolling more people in treatment, interrupting the cycle of addiction-related criminality, and keeping drug-related violence out of communities across the country (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). The policy is underpinned by a new treatment investment of about £780 million, the greatest ever, boosting total drug enforcement and treatment spending to more than £3 billion over the next three years (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). The strategy also includes a £300 million investment to clamp down on supply chains and criminal organizations profiting from the illegal drug trade, as well as a plan to roll out individual employment support across all local authorities in England by 2025, based on proven existing models, to assist people in recovery in finding work by preparing them for work and assisting them in finding the right job for them (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, 2022). Notably, the UK government has reiterated its commitment to making healthcare inclusive so that minority communities can access equal health care. In the same vein, guidelines have been set up to guard against the discrimination of substance misusers (Public Health England, 2019).

Conclusion and Recommendation

The misuse of substance is a serious public health problem that imposes a significant economic cost. It is linked to increased social and healthcare costs, primarily because of the transmission of infectious disease, violence, and criminal activity. Also, the undue discrimination of people who misuse substance poses a health risk to the addict as they would refuse treatment. The study recommends the following.

There is need for partnership between Government, NGO’s, civil society groups and schools to reinforce prevention strategies on substance use and addiction and provide a means of rehabilitating substance users.

Where certain ethnic or cultural groups have a history of drug use, efforts should be taken to liaise with relevant community groups and agencies to develop a culturally relevant service offering.

Affordable healthcare should be provided in low income and minority communities where substance misusers reside.

There is need for the government to enforce measures through regulations, to end all forms of discrimination against substance users or addicts.

Parents who use substance should be rehabilitated so the children can be shielded from the adverse effects such as neglect and exposure to physical and sexual abuse.

Photo Credit: https://www.alanarecovery.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-drug-addiction

References

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