Drug addiction, known clinically as substance use disorder, is a health condition in which a person loses control over their drug use and keeps using despite harm. The NHS describes addiction as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful.
Key points
- Drug addiction, or substance use disorder, is a health condition. Dependence involves tolerance and withdrawal, not a lack of willpower.
- Use, harmful use and dependence differ: harmful use causes harm without the physical features of dependence.
- Substance use and mental health worsen each other: 72% of adults starting treatment in England in 2023 to 2024 had a mental health treatment need.
- Local drug services are free, confidential and take self-referrals, and stopping is not a condition of help.
- Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines suddenly can be dangerous without medical help.
Symptoms
- Tolerance: needing more for the same effect; withdrawal: feeling unwell, agitated or sleepless when the substance wears off.
- Using more, or for longer, than intended, with time organised around getting and recovering; attempts to cut down that do not hold.
- Strong urges or cravings, and secrecy about use; low mood or irritability that lifts briefly with use and returns worse.
Causes and risk factors
- Unemployment, poverty, stress and pressure at work; using a substance to block out difficult experiences.
- Genetics carry part of the risk, alongside environmental factors such as being around other people with addictions.
- Mental health conditions, looked-after children and care leavers are at higher risk.
Treatment
- Talking therapies, mainly CBT; substitute medication such as methadone or buprenorphine for opioid dependence.
- Detoxification support for stopping completely; self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery.
- Naloxone reverses opioid overdose and can be supplied without a prescription by drug services to people at risk and their family or friends.
When to speak to a professional
- You are using more than you intended, or find it hard to stop once you start; it is affecting your work, relationships, money or health.
- Call 999 if someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is breathing slowly or not at all, or has had a seizure.
If you need help now: Samaritans, call 116 123, free, 24/7. Shout, text SHOUT to 85258. NHS 111, then choose the mental health option. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger.