A recent NHS study has shown that the rate of cannabis addiction has almost doubled over the past ten years. A significant survey on mental health in England has unveiled a concerning increase in drug addiction, particularly driven by the use of potent cannabis. Currently, one out of every 15 individuals in England is grappling with drug addiction, with the majority going undiagnosed and lacking access to support services.
The prevalence of adults exhibiting symptoms of cannabis dependence has risen from 2.8% in 2014 to 5.4% in 2023/4. The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, conducted every seven years and involving interviews with nearly 7,000 adults, sheds light on the landscape of mental health conditions, including those without an official NHS diagnosis.
Contrary to the surge in autism diagnoses, the actual prevalence of autism has remained stable, with one in every 100 individuals being affected since 2014. Overall, the proportion of individuals with mental health issues has escalated to over one in five.
Sarah Morris, the director at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), emphasized the importance of the survey in providing a comprehensive perspective on adult mental health in England. The study reveals both emerging challenges, such as the spike in drug dependence, and areas of constancy, like the prevalence of autism and psychotic disorders.
Recent data on mental health in England indicates an increase in the percentage of individuals reporting signs of drug dependence, climbing from 3.8% in 2014 to 6.7% in 2023/4, primarily attributed to a notable rise in problematic cannabis use.
Professor Sally McManus, a Senior Research Fellow at NatCen, underscored the need to address the nearly twofold increase in adults displaying signs of cannabis dependence. Despite no significant rise in cannabis usage among adults, the surge in dependence signs may reflect the known elevation in cannabis potency.
Most individuals exhibiting signs of addiction have not received a formal diagnosis, with only a small fraction reporting having received specific support or treatment for their drug use.
The study also serves as a valuable resource on the prevalence of autism in the general population, showing a consistent rate of about one in a hundred adults across surveys conducted in 2007, 2014, and 2023/4. Although previous data suggested a significant increase in autism diagnoses, the trend is likely due to heightened awareness, improved assessments, and expanded diagnostic criteria.
Furthermore, the proportion of 16 to 64-year-olds experiencing common mental health conditions has risen from 17.6% in 2007 and 18.9% in 2014 to 22.6% in 2023/4. The study also sheds light on the use of black-market opioids, with a notable percentage of individuals reporting non-prescribed opioid consumption.
Prof McManus from City St George’s, University of London, highlighted the study’s revelation about the extent of non-prescribed opioid use among adults in England. The findings showed that a considerable proportion of adults had engaged in the non-prescribed use of various opioids, with the highest percentage observed in the 25 to 34 age group.