🔗 Share this article Research Shows One in Four UK People Are Concerned a Loved One Overconsumes Alcohol An extensive survey of 2,000 respondents indicated that one in four people in the UK fear that a spouse, relative, or close acquaintance has a drinking problem. Moreover, 16% of participants were anxious about a close person's consumption of narcotics. Rising Dependency Issue The results seem to highlight what many professionals refer to as a rising "epidemic" of substance misuse to drink or drugs such as cocaine and cannabis. Government data show that the National Health Service in England is providing care for more than 310,000 individuals annually for substance or drink disorders – the most significant statistic recorded since 2009-10. Alcohol-related fatalities are at record levels. "The issue of drink and substance use is getting worse. The government says people are consuming less alcohol, but I don't see that," commented an expert focusing on dependency. The clinic overseeing the study has recorded a 40% rise in recent years in the number of patients requesting assistance for substance issues, featuring more women than men. Key Study Findings Ten percent are concerned that they have a drinking problem and 5% that they frequently take narcotics. 26% express concern that a spouse, relative, or close person has excessive alcohol intake. 16% are concerned about a close person's consumption of narcotics. Families that earn more than fifty thousand pounds a year are triply more likely to have a person with an dependency disorder. Intergenerational Substance Misuse In addition, one in seven respondents indicated that addiction had affected multiple generations of their relatives. Professionals indicated that genetics might clarify that, and a number of respondents may be imitating the actions of one or both of their guardians. A campaign named Break the Chain is being launched to highlight how common multi-generational substance misuse has become. Authority Response A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Welfare commented that they were restructuring National Health Service drug and alcohol care programs in England after a long period of underfunding. "We have provided an further 310 million pounds in next year to upgrade drug and alcohol care programs and help services in England, on top of the public health grant. The strategy for progress will redirect health services towards early action, featuring through early intervention, to assist residents to enlongate life, healthier well-being across the United Kingdom," the official stated.