Survey: Drug Use Up but Not Addiction
By Dr.Fourkan Ali
There is both good and
bad news to report regarding drug use among adults in the UK. The good news is
that the number of people suffering from addiction has not increased
significantly since the Observer took their last survey in 2008. The bad news
is that more adults report using illegal drugs in the 2014 edition of the
survey.
In 2008, just 27% of UK adults acknowledged
having used an illicit drug at some point during their lives. The 2014 survey
shows an increase to 31%. That means more than one-third of all adults have
used illicit drugs at least once. Among those acknowledging as much,
approximately 21% said they still do so either occasionally or regularly. That
works out to just over 6% of the total population.
A few additional effects from the survey are
as follows:
·
87% of those who
admitted using illegal drugs believe they have never had a problem with them
·
half of all current
regular drug users are between the ages of 16 and 34
·
23% identifying as
regular drug users do so on a daily basis
·
93% of the drug users
use cannabis
·
among a list of 12
drugs, heroin is considered the most dangerous while marijuana is considered
the least; tobacco and alcohol come in at numbers nine and 10 respectively.
There is a lot more
data in the Observer survey; too much, in fact, to deal with all of
it here. What concerns us most is the 87% of admitted drug users who believe
they have never had a problem with drugs. While this statistic may sound a good
one, asking that question is fundamentally flawed. Why? Because the vast
majority of substance abusers and addicts do not realise they have a problem
until it is too late. The fact that a person does not believe he or she has a
problem does not make his or her perception reality.
The truth about
substance abuse and drug addiction is that it is a gradual process. A person does
not simply wake up one day and find him or herself addicted. By the time he or
she realises their addiction, they have already been dependent on drugs or
alcohol for some time.
We are also concerned that the survey shows
more adults admitting to taking drugs in 2014 than in 2008. To see a rise of
four percentage points in just six years suggests that more young people are
taking drugs now than they were at the time of the previous survey. Moreover,
any time the drug culture welcomes a new member, the potential for substance
abuse or addiction problems increase.
Changing Times
It is true that we live in the midst of
changing times. We live in a day and age when access to both alcohol and drugs
is as easy as it has ever been. At the same time, cultural attitudes toward all
of these substances are shifting. People are more accepting of both illicit drugs
and illegal substances among users of all ages. At Addiction Helper, we do not
see that as a positive thing.
As an independent advice and referral
organisation, we see first-hand the damage done by alcohol and drugs in
Britain. We see that side of substance abuse your friends will never tell you;
that side of drinking and taking drugs that could cost you everything you hold
dear.
Our advice is to always avoid drink and drugs
completely. Knowing that this not always the case, we are here to help you conquer
any drug or alcohol problem you might already have. Call our 24-hour helpline
for more information.
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