Understanding Addiction in the UK: What the Latest Figures Show — and Where to Get Help
Addiction is one of the biggest public health issues facing the UK today.
Whether it’s alcohol, drugs or prescription medication, the problem affects communities all over the country, including right here in Surrey. Understanding the numbers behind addiction helps us as a community respond with more awareness, compassion and urgency.
Drug Use in England and Wales
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, 2.9 million adults aged 16 to 59 in England and Wales reported using drugs in the year ending March 2024 ,8.8% of this age group.
Among 16 to 24 year olds the figure rises sharply, with 16.5% reporting drug use in the past year , 971,000 young adults. This is a big concern for families and parents in communities like Weybridge and Elmbridge where young people are not immune to national pressures.
Cannabis is the most commonly used drug, 6.8% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported use in the past year, while Class A drug use remained stable at 3.4% over the same period.
But official figures may not tell the whole story. Research from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey suggests more adults in England use drugs than official statistics show, since people in a health survey are more likely to disclose drug use than in a crime survey. The same research found the proportion of adults showing signs of cannabis dependence nearly doubled over a decade, from 2.8% in 2014 to 5.4% in 2023–2024, likely due to the increasing availability of higher potency cannabis.
Alcohol: A Hidden Crisis
Alcohol addiction gets less attention than drug use but its reach and impact is huge.
In England there are an estimated 602,391 dependent drinkers, yet only 18% are getting any form of specialist treatment.
The human cost is brutal. In 2023 there were 8,274 alcohol specific deaths in England, a 4.6% increase from 2022 and the highest rate since records began at 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people. Across the UK as a whole alcohol specific deaths reached 10,473 in 2023, another record high, while alcohol related harm in England was estimated to cost £27.44 billion a year.
There are also deep social economic dimensions to this crisis. People in the most deprived areas experience more than double the alcohol specific death rate compared to those in the least deprived areas. Surrey is generally an affluent county but deprivation exists in pockets throughout Elmbridge and the surrounding areas and no community is immune to these pressures.
Addiction and Mental Health
One of the most consistent findings in addiction research is the link between addiction and mental health. From 2022 to 2023, out of 137,749 adults admitted to drug and alcohol rehab, 71%, nearly 97,801 people ,required additional mental health treatment alongside their addiction care.
This dual diagnosis pattern is important for anyone supporting a loved one struggling with substance use. Treating the addiction alone is rarely enough. Underlying anxiety, depression, trauma or grief often need to be addressed at the same time.
Those looking for local mental health and wellbeing support can find a range of services listed on the All About Weybridge Health pages which signpost to counsellors, charities and NHS services in the area.
Treatment Is Up — and It Works
There is good news in the statistics though! Between April 2023 and March 2024, 310,863 adults were in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services in England, a 7% increase compared to the previous year and the largest single year increase since 2008–09.
Of those who left treatment in 2023–24, 47% completed their programme and were discharged as treatment completed, with the alcohol only group achieving the highest completion rate at 58%.
These figures show that with the right support recovery is achievable. The key is getting the right treatment, and getting it sooner rather than later.
Private Rehab: A Vital Option
For many people NHS waiting lists or the nature of community treatment services are not suitable for their needs.
Private residential rehab offers a structured, medically supervised environment where individuals can focus entirely on their recovery. One of the most established providers in the UK is The Perry Clayman Project, operating under the Rehab Today brand.
Founded in 2005 by Perry Clayman who had himself experienced and recovered from a substance misuse problem the project was built on the belief that every person suffering from addiction should be able to access residential treatment.
PCP delivers inpatient treatment programmes ranging from 14 days to 6 months, starting with a medically supervised detox ran by a substance misuse specialist doctors and nursing team, along with those with lived experience.
The organisation now has clinics across the UK, with locations in Luton and Cardiff, making it accessible to residents across the South East including those in Surrey and Elmbridge.
What sets The Perry Clayman Project apart is its ethos of personalised care. Treatment is tailored to the individual, not just the substance use but the underlying factors that drive it. Many of the staff have lived experience of recovery themselves which creates an environment of genuine empathy and understanding.
Getting Help: The First and Most Important Step
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug use don’t wait.
Addiction rarely gets better on its own and the longer it continues the more physical, psychological and social harm. The good news is help is available, whether through the NHS, local community services or private residential treatment.
Weybridge and Elmbridge are lucky to have a strong network of community organisations, charities and health services.
Reaching out, whether to a GP, a local support group or a specialist provider like The Perry Clayman Project, is always the right move. Recovery is possible and it starts with one step.