Addiction affects everyone, but recovery is possible
This Addiction Awareness Week, new Ipsos data has revealed that just over one in ten adults in the UK have experienced addiction to alcohol, drugs, medication or gambling at some point in their lives.
Neary half of the adult population (47%) have either experienced or know someone who has lived with drug, alcohol, medication or gambling dependency. Alcohol is the most prevalent dependency, followed by drugs or prescription medicine, and gambling.
The results highlight the difficulties of living with addiction or dependency. Of those who have experienced this, 54% say that their physical health has been negatively affected as a result, and 53% have been affected by emotional or psychological distress. Almost half (46%) have been affected by financial problems and four in ten (41%) have experienced relationship problems.
Watch Taking Action on Addiction’s campaign video ‘Recovery is possible,’ where TV personalities Ant and Dec, along with 75 other contributors, share their own powerful stories of recovery from addiction.
The need for a health system response to alcohol
In their latest report, the Medical Council on Alcohol (MCA) call attention to the growing public health challenge posed by alcohol-related health harms and urge a coordinated health systems approach to tackle the issue.
Without action, rising levels of harm from alcohol will continue to burden health services, while lack of access to treatment leaves individuals and families struggling with inadequate support.
The report provides a clear roadmap to save lives and reduce the strain on our health services with four key recommendations:
- A renewed national alcohol strategy with a strong focus on treatment and prevention.
- Enhanced funding and support for alcohol care teams in acute hospitals.
- Improved access to community-based alcohol services, which currently reach fewer than one in five people with alcohol dependence.
- Greater integration of care pathways to ensure individuals with complex needs receive comprehensive support
End the silence on parental problem alcohol use in Ireland
Alcohol Action Ireland’s Silent Voices campaign draws attention to issues arising from parental problem alcohol use.
Catch up on campaigner action during the annual End the Silence week held last month, including:
- A podcast episode with psychotherapist and Silent Voices co-founder Marion Rackard, and guest Aisling Creegan, an artist and psychotherapist herself, who grew up with immense trauma arising from her mother’s serious alcohol and mental health difficulties.
- A new policy briefing on problem alcohol use in the home and the invisible victims of alcohol harm.
- Recordings from two live webinars and an in-person event.
Ireland also went to the polls on 29 November. Ahead of the election, over 100 candidates had signed up to Alcohol Action Ireland’s election pledge to establish an alcohol office to drive coherent policy across government and address alcohol harm in all its forms.
Join Nacoa for their Big Night Out in Brighton
Nacoa are hosting a Big Nacoa Night Out on Saturday 18 January 2025 featuring the Amy Winehouse Band to raise funds and awareness for children of alcohol-dependent parents
Amy Winehouse’s original band will be centre stage, led by her long-term musical director and bass player Dale Davis. The evening will be hosted by actor Kevin Bishop and TV/radio present Guy Lloyd, with special meet and greet appearances with Calum Best (Nacoa patron and TV personality), Josh Connolly (Nacoa ambassador and author), Ian Stringer (football commentator), and Kelly Pegg (host of Hot Mess Mums podcast).
Tickets are available on Dice.
What do the public think about alcohol policies? New research from Scotland
Academics from Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Edinburgh have published new research on peoples’ opinions on alcohol policies in Scotland.
The team interviewed 14 stakeholders from third sector organisations, government, public health and alcohol licensing, and conducted focus groups with 45 participants living in neighbourhoods in Scotland.
Members of the public saw policies to reduce alcohol availability as relatively simple attempts to influence a complex social issue, and tended to focus on ‘others’, such as heavy and dependent drinkers, while rejecting measures that might affect their own drinking. There was a general consensus that alcohol control policies could protect children from exposure to alcohol and contribute to a cultural change.
To gain public support for alcohol policies, the researchers recommend sharing scientific evidence about such measures in a way that clearly explains both their benefits and any potential risks.
Events
Alcohol knowledge exchange workshop
SPECTRUM
14—16 January 2025
Managing addictions in primary care
Royal College of General Practitioners and Addictions Professionals
16—17 January 2025
Big Nacoa Night Out
Nacoa
18 January 2025
Reducing the risk
Alcohol Change UK
13 March 2025
