Last Updated:

February 2nd, 2026

Drug addiction

Drug addiction is a deadly but frighteningly common condition. It is an illness that claims thousands of lives a year in Britain and destroys countless more. However, there is help available for drug addiction, and even those who had lost all hope of recovery have turned things around and rebuilt their lives. No matter when or why you started taking drugs, addiction is a medical condition like any other, and the right treatment can help you overcome it.

young man on drugs on hand

What is drug addiction?

Drug addiction is drug use that you can’t stop, even when it’s clearly hurting your health, relationships, work, education, or well-being. It starts with tolerance to drugs building as you take more of them, meaning you need increasing amounts to achieve the effect you’re chasing. Your brain then becomes chemically dependent on drugs, which means going without them triggers withdrawal symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to dangerous.

Soon, the drugs completely reshape how your brain processes pleasure and makes decisions, particularly the systems that govern impulse control and reward. This adds a psychological dependence to the physical and chemical ones, and it is why people keep using drugs even when they hate what they are doing to their lives.

Why understanding drug addiction matters

Drug-related deaths in England and Wales hit 5,565 in 2024, double the figure from 2012 and the highest since records began. Nearly half involved opioids, with synthetic drugs like nitazenes increasingly present in the supply. Drug misuse also costs the UK an estimated £10.7 billion annually through healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity.

Perhaps most tragic is the impact of drug addiction beyond the individual. Families watch someone they love disappear into addiction, while overdose deaths that were entirely preventable affect the lives and futures of children and partners. Whole communities often bear the weight of drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour, while NHS resources that are needed elsewhere are increasingly eaten up by patients with drug and alcohol issues.

What are the types of drug addiction?

Each drug affects the brain differently, but the vast majority can lead to addiction. Some of the most common drug addiction issues in Britain include:

Cannabis addiction
Cannabis often surprises people who believe that it’s not addictive. But regular cannabis use builds psychological dependence, and stopping after prolonged use causes genuine withdrawal symptoms.
Cocaine addiction
Powder and crack cocaine addiction produce intense but short-lived highs that drive compulsive redosing. The crash that follows creates powerful cravings, and psychological dependency can take hold shockingly quickly.
Heroin addiction
Heroin creates severe physical dependence, with withdrawal producing cravings and severe flu-like symptoms. Heroin overdose risk is always incredibly high, particularly with fentanyl now commonly found in the supply.
Stimulant addiction
This includes amphetamine addiction, monkey dust addiction, and meth addiction, all of which can cause paranoia, psychosis, and serious physical and mental deterioration.
“Party drug” addiction
This includes ketamine addiction, ecstasy addiction, GBL addiction, and GHB addiction. Each substance carries its own risks, but all have led to drug-related fatalities.
Psychedelic drug addiction
While LSD addiction, magic mushroom addiction, and DMT addiction are less common, some people do become psychologically dependent on psychedelics.
Novel psychoactive substance addiction
This is an addiction to a newer class of drugs, which are often the most unpredictable and volatile of all street drugs. In Britain, there is an alarming number of cases, including Benzo Fury addiction, Spice addiction, and mephedrone addiction.

Signs of drug addiction

The sooner drug addiction is identified, the easier it is to treat. Drug addiction looks different depending on what someone is using, but certain warning signs appear regardless of the drug:

  • Secretiveness about activities and whereabouts
  • Defensiveness when drug use is mentioned
  • Neglecting interests that previously mattered
  • Addiction denial and playing down the reality of what is happening
  • Drowsiness
  • Weight loss
  • Erratic energy
  • Constipation
  • Increased appetite
  • A slowed or spaced-out demeanour
  • Declining personal hygiene
  • Disrupted sleep patterns
  • Dilated or pinpoint pupils, bloodshot eyes, and other substance-specific physical signs
  • Money, personal, and legal problems

The causes and risk factors of drug addiction?

Drug addiction doesn’t have a single cause, as biology, psychology, and environment all play their part.

Drug use often begins as self-medication for underlying distress. ADHD and drug addiction, depression and addiction, and anxiety and addiction are all closely and commonly linked. A difficult or traumatic childhood also dramatically raises the risk of later drug problems.

Family history shapes vulnerability to drug addiction, so having parents or siblings with addiction increases your own risk substantially. The genetic factors can influence how drugs affect you, how quickly tolerance develops, and how intensely you experience cravings.

Availability also plays a big role, as you’re far more likely to try something that’s easily accessible. Seeing drugs around the house as a child can make them feel normal, while teenagers often start taking drugs because their friends do.

Economic deprivation, lack of prospects, and unstable housing can all also make drug abuse and resulting addiction more likely.

What are the dangers and side effects of drug addiction?

The damage from drug addiction is both acute and long-term, and the harm only increases the longer drug use continues.

Short-term effects

In the short term, drug overdose remains an ever-present danger, particularly with opioids or when mixing substances. You are also likely to experience impaired coordination and judgment, more accidents and injuries, acute dangers like a heart attack or stroke, and problems in your personal life.

Long-term effects

Prolonged drug abuse damages every organ system. Stimulants strain the heart and destroy your teeth. Opioids suppress your breathing and immune function. Injecting drugs risks infections, abscesses, and blood-borne viruses, like hepatitis and HIV. With all drugs, your thinking and memory can suffer, and you can experience severe mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts and actions.

Treatment and support options for drug addiction

Addressing drug problems before they become entrenched increases the odds of successful recovery. Effective drug addiction treatment programmes combine:

Drug detox
Detox provides potentially life-saving medical supervision during withdrawal. Specific programmes exist for different substances, but medical support is crucial because it can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.
Drug rehab
Rehab tackles the psychological side of addiction through individual therapy, group work, lifestyle changes, and structured daily routines. You may need to spend a week in treatment for milder problems or up to three months for more serious dependency, with a 10-day package, 14-day package, 28-day package, and 90-day package usually available at most recovery centres.
Post-rehab support
Relapse prevention planning is an important part of most treatment programmes, so when you leave, you will be able to cope with any situations or feelings that put you at risk of using. NA Meetings and CA Meetings can connect you with others in recovery, and many people attend these local support groups for life.

drug-addicted-woman-in-councelling-therapy

Finding help for drug addiction

For help choosing a rehab or just for free, expert answers to any questions you may have, please contact us today. All enquiries are confidential, and we will do our best to help you in any way we can.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes drugs addictive?
Drugs trigger the release of dopamine and other chemicals in the brain far beyond what everyday activities produce. With repeated use, the brain adapts by reducing natural chemical function, making normal life feel flat or unpleasant. This brain change, combined with psychological associations and physical withdrawal symptoms, creates the cycle of compulsive use that defines drug addiction.
Can you recover from drug addiction?
Yes. Countless people recover from drug addiction every year and go on to live fulfilling, substance-free lives. Recovery typically requires professional support, but it is absolutely achievable. Many people need multiple attempts before achieving lasting abstinence, but setbacks never mean failure.
How long does drug rehab take?
The length of drug rehab depends on what substances you’ve been using, how long you’ve been dependent, and your individual circumstances. Programmes typically run from one week for milder dependencies to three months or longer for entrenched addiction.

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