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A recent survey with 2,000 adults revealed that a quarter of people in the Britain fear that a spouse, family member, or close acquaintance has a drinking problem. Moreover, one in six participants were anxious about a family member's consumption of narcotics.

Rising Addiction Crisis

The results appear to highlight what some experts describe as a growing "problem" of dependency to drink or drugs such as cocaine and marijuana.

Official data indicate that the NHS in England is treating in excess of three hundred ten thousand people each year for drug or alcohol problems – the highest number from over a decade ago. Drink-related mortalities are at an all-time high.

"The epidemic of drink and substance misuse is increasing. Authorities says people are drinking less, but this isn't evident," noted a psychiatrist with expertise in dependency.

The organization commissioning the study has seen a 40 percent increase since 2019 in the number of people looking for support for dependency, with more women than men.

Significant Survey Data

• 10% fear that themselves overconsume alcohol and 5% that themselves use drugs too often.
• One in four worry that a partner, family member, or friend overindulges in drink.
• 16% fear for a loved one's use of narcotics.
• Families that make over 50k a year are triply more prone to have an individual with an dependency disorder.

Multi-generational Addiction

In addition, 15% of participants said that addiction had affected multiple generations of their relatives. Professionals indicated that hereditary factors might clarify that, and certain individuals may be repeating the habits of one or two of their guardians.

An initiative named Break the Chain is being launched to emphasize how common multi-generational dependency has become.

Authority Statement

A spokesperson for the Office of Healthcare and Welfare stated that the department were restructuring NHS drug and alcohol treatment services in England after an extended time of neglect.

"The government has assigned an further £310m in 2025-26 to enhance substance and drink treatment services and help services in the country, alongside the national budget. The strategy for change will shift medical care towards early action, featuring through early intervention, to help individuals to extend lifespan, better lifestyles across the UK," the spokesperson added.