A Being addicted to something carries a stereotype. When people think of addiction, they often think of addiction to drugs or alcohol.
However, addiction can include a lot more than that. A significant amount of people are becoming addicted to the likes of online gambling, online shopping, social media or sex. Whatever you are addicted to, addiction is more than just a personal struggle.
ddiction has wide implications on the general public and wider society. Addiction of any kind can take its toll on our environment, our culture, our political system and our general environment.
Only when we understand how addiction impacts all of the above can we truly make strides to help society overcome addiction issues and create an overall healthier and more positive, addiction free society.
Nevertheless, addiction issues across the UK are growing and the complex crisis of addiction is deeply woven into society. It is important that both individuals and our wider society make the changes needed to help overcome the triggers and root causes of addiction.
Facts Surrounding Addiction
In order to understand the complex and deeply rooted issue that addiction is, it is important to first take a look at some facts surrounding addiction in this day and age.
Addiction to physically addictive drugs such as cocaine is on the rise. In fact, UK cocaine related deaths rose by a shocking 30% across both England and Wales between 2023 and 2024. Other drugs such as Ketamine are also on the rise, with ketamine consumption rising by a staggering 85% between 2023 and 2024.
Whilst these statistics are worrying to say the least, what is more worrying is the opioid epidemic that is taking place across the country. In fact, there was a total of 5,448 drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales in 2023 that were directly linked to opioids. This is the highest since records began with a 12% increase in just one year.
Likewise, UK alcohol related deaths rose by 4.2% from 2022 – 2025 and has now risen by 38% since 2019. In fact, England has now logged more than 1 million alcohol related hospital admissions for the first time ever, highlighting the worrying rise in alcohol addiction across the UK.
However, it’s not just physically addictive drugs that are on the rise. In fact, more people than ever are now addicted to vaping, with 20.5% of all 11 – 17 year olds vaping on a regular basis. When it comes to the general adult population, approximately 10% of the population are addicted to vaping, which is a 9% rise in the past 10 years.
Tech and social media addiction is also bringing with it its fair share of concerns. There is no denying the fact that more young people than ever are addicted to their phones and to social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
In fact, some studies suggest that 17% of social media users can be classified as being addicted to at least one social media platform. However, it gets worse. Globally, a staggering 210 million people are classified as being addicted to at least one social media platform.
The above statistics have dire consequences on mental health and stress levels as well as the wider community, local economics, healthcare services and the family unit. Below are just some of the ways that addiction has a negative societal impact.
Societal Impact of Addiction
Addiction, whether that is to substances such as drugs and alcohol or addiction to social media, sex or even gambling, has far-reaching consequences that ripple across society.
Addiction without a doubt has an impact on the economic landscape. Hundreds of millions of pounds are spent on addiction and treatment services annually in the UK. These costs include increased healthcare expenses, money lost from people who are unable to work due to their addiction and the criminal justice system, as more people are likely to commit a crime when they are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Beyond the economic and financial burden that addiction creates, addiction has a huge impact on the family unit. As a result of addiction issues, families are frequently torn apart by the emotional and psychological consequences of a loved one’s substance addiction, whether that is to drugs or alcohol.
Not only this, but children who have grown up in a household with drugs or alcohol present are also at risk for themselves to experience neglect, abuse, and developing their own addiction issues in the future.
Likewise, there is no denying the fact that addiction has a huge impact on the likes of poverty and trauma. People who suffer from addiction, or who are even surrounded by addiction issues are more likely to suffer from unemployment, which can then spiral into a long list of physical and mental health issues.
Addressing addiction’s societal impact requires removing the stigma associated with drug and alcohol addiction as well as improving access to treatment and addressing root causes such as poverty and trauma which often lead an individual to become addicted to certain substances.
The Science of Addiction & Recovery
Addiction is a chronic brain disease. When someone becomes addicted to either drugs or alcohol, it alters their brain chemistry. This is particularly true for the areas of the individual’s brain that are responsible for things such as reward and decision making. As an individual’s tolerance grows, they are less likely to be able to control their impulses and cravings.
This highlights how addiction is a disease and not a moral failing, as it physically affects the brain and therefore the body. Due to this, addiction should be classified as an illness and treated accordingly. Recognising and accepting that addiction is not someone’s fault will allow society to overcome some of the many stigmas associated with addiction.
There are a range of evidenced based treatment options available to someone who wants to recover from drug or alcohol addiction. This includes a safely detoxing from home as well as therapy including cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and holistic therapy that is becoming increasingly more popular. This includes approaches such as art therapy, music therapy and breath work.
What Can We Do to Reduce Addiction in Our Community?
There are a wide range of things that we can be doing within our community to try to reduce levels of addiction. This includes a wide range of tools such as peer support including charities such as Mind or The Samaritans. Whether you’re able to volunteer your time to support these charities or simply fundraise to help them financially, they offer a huge amount of support to those suffering from addiction in your area and should be prioritised where possible.
Likewise, education needs to play a huge role in helping society overcome addiction issues. Whether you help to give talks within schools or simply educate your children on the negative impact of drug or alcohol addiction, knowledge is power and can go a long way.
On a governmental level, there needs to be an increase in funding to mental health and addiction treatment services which will then allow for better integrated care that makes a difference.
Likewise, on a more personal level, if you know of someone who is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction then you should prioritise helping them and encouraging them to recover, whether that is via an intervention or helping them to stay sober using an aftercare plan.
Conclusion
Addiction is a crisis and has a huge impact on modern society, as discussed above. There are a number of things that individuals can do to help reduce addiction levels, although it is collective action that is needed to inspire true and long term change.
Addiction can happen to anyone, and it is important to think about how you would feel if a loved one to you became addicted to drugs or alcohol, but the services just were not there to help or support them. Addiction, at its worst, can be fatal and causes significant damage to both the sufferer’s life and the lives of those around them.
There is, however, hope. Generation Z and Generation X are said to be the healthiest generation yet, prioritising wellbeing, health and fitness above partying and taking drugs or other substances to have a good time. Hopefully, as time will tell, society can become healthier and happier and as a result less people will abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol.
