The landscape of drug addiction in the UK continues to evolve, and understanding the current statistics helps us see both the challenges we face and the positive strides being made in treatment and recovery. If you’re reading this because you’re concerned about your own substance use or that of someone you care about, these numbers tell an important story: you’re far from alone, and help is increasingly accessible.
How Many People Are Affected by Drug Use in the UK?
According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics, approximately 2.9 million adults aged 16 to 59 in England and Wales reported using drugs in the year ending March 2024. That’s around 8.8% of this age group – a figure that has remained relatively stable compared to the previous year.
What’s particularly striking is that drug use remains significantly higher amongst young adults. Around 971,000 people aged 16 to 24 – that’s 16.5% of this age group – reported using drugs in the past year. Whilst this might seem alarming, it’s actually lower than the peak of 21% recorded in 2020, suggesting that prevention efforts may be having some impact.
Which Substances Are People Using?
Cannabis remains the most commonly used drug in the UK, with 6.8% of adults aged 16 to 59 reporting use in the past year. Interestingly, this represents a decrease from 7.6% the previous year, returning to levels we haven’t seen in a decade.
When it comes to Class A drugs, approximately 3% of adults (around one million people) reported using these substances in the last year. Powder cocaine use stood at 0.9% of adults, whilst we’ve seen some notable changes in other substances:
- Nitrous oxide use decreased from 1.3% to 0.9%
- Crack cocaine use dropped from 0.1% to 0.03%
- Magic mushroom use increased from 0.8% to 1.1%
Around 1.8% of people were classified as frequent drug users (taking drugs more than once a month), which is actually a decrease from 2.3% the previous year. This is encouraging news, suggesting that whilst some people experiment with substances, fewer are developing patterns of regular use.
The Positive News: More People Are Seeking Treatment
Here’s where the statistics become genuinely encouraging. Between April 2023 and March 2024, there were 310,863 adults in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services in England. This represents a 7% rise compared to the previous year – the largest increase in adults accessing treatment since 2008-09, and the highest number since 2009-10.
Even more importantly, 158,991 adults entered treatment in 2023-24, which is significantly higher than the previous two years. This surge suggests that more people are recognising when they need help and feeling able to reach out for it.
What Substances Are People Seeking Help For?
Looking at the breakdown of people in treatment:
- 44% were receiving treatment for opiate problems (primarily heroin)
- 25% had problems with non-opiate drugs only (such as cannabis, cocaine, and crack)
- 30% were being treated for alcohol problems only
Just under half of those who left treatment in 2023-24 (47%) had successfully completed their programme, free from dependence. This success rate remained consistent with the previous year and represents thousands of people rebuilding their lives.
Understanding Treatment Demographics
Treatment engagement varies across different groups. Men make up around 68% of people in drug treatment services, whilst women represent 32%. However, when it comes to alcohol-only treatment, the split is more balanced, with men at 60% and women at 40%.
It’s also worth noting that people in treatment often face multiple challenges. Around 47% of people starting treatment reported smoking tobacco in the 28 days before beginning their programme – substantially higher than the general adult population’s smoking rate of around 11-13%. This highlights how addiction often intersects with other health concerns, and why comprehensive treatment addresses overall wellbeing, not just the primary substance.
Emerging Trends: Ketamine and Benzodiazepines
Two substances are showing concerning upward trends in treatment admissions. Ketamine users starting treatment increased significantly, with 3,609 people entering treatment in 2023-24 – more than eight times higher than in 2014-15. The proportion of new treatment entrants with ketamine problems rose from 1.6% to 2.3% in just one year.
Benzodiazepine-related treatment admissions also remain high, with 3,872 new adults entering treatment for benzodiazepine problems in 2023-24. Research suggests that over 600,000 adults in the UK have taken a benzodiazepine or Z-drug non-medically at least once in their lifetime.
What These Statistics Mean for You
If you’re struggling with substance use, these numbers reveal something crucial: treatment works, and more people than ever are choosing recovery. The 47% success rate for those completing treatment programmes shows that with the right support, breaking free from addiction is absolutely achievable.
The increase in people entering treatment also suggests that the stigma around addiction is slowly decreasing. More people are recognising that addiction is a health condition requiring professional support, not a moral failing or something to be ashamed of.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Whilst statistics help us understand the scale of drug use in the UK, behind every number is a real person – perhaps someone like you or someone you love. Whether you’re worried about occasional use that’s becoming more frequent, or you’re in the grip of a dependency that’s affecting every area of your life, reaching out for help is the most important step you can take.
The good news is that treatment services have evolved significantly. Today’s programmes understand that addiction is complex, often linked to trauma, mental health conditions, or difficult life circumstances. Modern treatment doesn’t just address the substance use itself – it helps you build the life skills, coping strategies, and support networks you need for lasting recovery.
Taking the First Step
If these statistics have made you realise it’s time to seek help, know that you’re making a brave and potentially life-changing decision. Treatment typically begins with an assessment to understand your individual needs, followed by a detoxification process (if required) and then therapeutic work to address the underlying causes of your addiction.
At The Recovery Lodge, we’ve seen firsthand how effective treatment can transform lives. We understand that taking that first step feels daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team is here to support you through every stage of your recovery journey, from that initial phone call through to long-term aftercare.
The statistics tell us that addiction affects hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, but they also tell us something equally important: recovery is possible, treatment works, and every year, thousands of people successfully rebuild their lives free from addiction. You could be one of them!