Brits are being advised to raise conversations around the dangers of addiction, after UKAT, a UK addiction therapy centre, witnessed the number of callers seeking help for drug misuse rise by a whopping 32% compared to September last year.
Since lockdown was put in place on 21 March, unease over career uncertainty and financial loss has rippled through the country. The calls expose how frequently substance abuse is used to hide strain, as those furloughed or working from home reach for dangerous coping mechanisms.
Within two weeks of lockdown easing, calls increased by 6% across all UKAT centres. Evidence suggests that those needing help are not opening up to their loved ones during a time of isolation, waiting instead to seek professional advice confidentially. This is further supported by Oasis recovery, UKAT’s treatment centre in Bradford, receiving 66% more calls than last June – and continuing to increase – with 44% more calls last month (September) compared to last year.
Nuno Albuquerque, Group Treatment Lead at UKAT, says: “It’s not unusual for people to observe or hear about drug-taking and turn a blind eye. Even those that don’t condone the behaviour are unlikely to criticise, as we don’t consider it our business. But addiction is an astronomical problem in Britain and is steadily on the rise.
“If someone you know is recreationally using drugs or you notice they take prescription medication, we urge you to warn them about the risks of addiction to raise awareness and support us in bringing these numbers down.”
Addiction is an emotional or physical dependence on a substance which develops after repeated use. Physical signs consist of rapid weight loss or gain, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils and becoming withdrawn. Some behavioural changes include rapid mood swings, loss of interest in usual hobbies isolating themselves and lying and stealing to pay for their supply.
Speaking to someone about their drug use can be confusing and awkward, especially in a society that brushes off pressing matters with humour. Yet, starting conversations in the home gives the person a window to open up about their substance abuse, and could potentially reveal problems that have driven them to rely on drugs.
While European laws and American films have eased British behaviour, the deep-rooted ‘stiff upper lip’ conduct remains unscathed. In England and Wales alone, there were 4,359 drug-related deaths in 2018, which means thousands of individuals suffered in silence instead of seeking help.
UKAT suggests something as simple as asking people how they are coping and letting them know you are there for support is enough to open the dialogue. For those that are open about their drug use, casually inform them the drugs they are taking are likely cut with poisonous fillers, such as rat poison and laundry detergent, and warn them about the dangers of addiction. Those that take pain medication are also at high risk, so researching addiction and notifying them of the perils could make a world of difference in how they choose to proceed.
Albuquerque adds: “You may not associate prescription meds with addiction, but those prescribed pain relief tend to be given an opiate-based drug like tramadol or codeine, drugs that are part of the same family as heroin. They are extremely addictive and prescription drug addiction is a very real problem in this country.”
Addiction is severely underfunded in Britain, and £6.5 million has been slashed from the local authority treatment budgets since 2013, meaning many will struggle to seek the help they need unless they opt for private treatment. Pointing out dangers as early as people suggesting buying drugs, and reiterating the risk of addiction developing, could save someone a lifetime of rehabilitation. Or in some cases, their life.
(Syndicated press content)
