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A recent survey with 2,000 respondents revealed that 25% of individuals in the UK are concerned that a spouse, relative, or close acquaintance drinks too much. Furthermore, a sixth of participants expressed concern about a loved one's consumption of illegal drugs.

Rising Dependency Issue

These findings seem to emphasize what several specialists describe as a rising "problem" of dependency to alcohol or substances such as cocaine and cannabis.

Government statistics show that the NHS in England is treating over 310,000 people each year for substance or drink issues – the largest figure from over a decade ago. Drink-related fatalities are higher than ever before.

"The epidemic of alcohol and drug misuse is escalating. Officials claims we're consuming less alcohol, but this isn't evident," noted a psychiatrist specialising in dependency.

The clinic commissioning the study has seen a 40 percent increase in recent years in the number of patients looking for support for dependency, including more women than men.

Important Study Findings

• 10% are concerned that themselves have a drinking problem and one in twenty that they overuse substances.
• 26% worry that a spouse, family member, or friend has excessive alcohol intake.
• Around a sixth fear for a close person's use of narcotics.
• Families that earn more than fifty thousand pounds a year are triply more prone to contain someone with an dependency disorder.

Multi-generational Dependency

Furthermore, one in seven participants said that substance misuse had affected more than one generation of their household. Specialists suggested that family history might account for that, and a number of respondents may be repeating the actions of either or both of their parents.

A program titled End the Cycle is being started to showcase how common family addiction can be.

Authority Statement

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that the department were restructuring National Health Service substance and drink care programs in England after a long period of disregard.

"Authorities have assigned an extra £310 million in next year to improve drug and alcohol support systems and assistance programs in the country, on top of the national budget. The strategy for progress will move healthcare towards prevention, such as through prompt assistance, to help individuals to live longer, better lives across the UK," the spokesperson added.