New study finds increased drug use in the UK over the summer

A new study has found that more people in the UK are using alcohol and recreational drugs at an increased rate across the summer following the pandemic. 

The study, provided by Delamere, found that illegal, recreational drug use heightened in the summer months, particularly for substances such as cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and ketamine.

Cannabis use leads the way in the summer, with 69% of British people surveyed claiming to have taken the drug. It also found that 50% of people used ‘legal’ highs during this season, 58% for MDMA, 53% for ketamine, and 65% for cocaine.

Delamere’s Martin Preston says: “As ketamine is renowned for offering a numbing effect, as well as one that allows the user to feel ‘detached’, it could be said that more people have turned to it since the pandemic due to the trauma that time period caused for many Brits.

“These people could have suffered a loss at the hands of the coronavirus. They could have also experienced a decline in their mental health, which is why the prospect of feeling almost nothing could seem very appealing.”

He also says: “Holidays have always been seen as a free pass to over-consume as much as possible, with the mindset that normality would resume when the vacation was over.

“However, this could always be easier said than done, as a recent article highlighted that all-inclusive holidays were ‘on the rise’ since the end of the pandemic – suggesting that more people than ever are keen to take advantage of the excessive amount of booze on offer.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, UK-based charity FRANK offer free impartial advice and guidance on dealing with addiction: https://www.talktofrank.com/