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While many people don’t want to admit it, recreational drug use in the UK is very common.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics 2020 Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that: one in 11 adults aged 16 to 59 had taken a drug in the year ending March 2020.
More than a million in the same age group had used a class A drug, such as cocaine, MDMA, heroin or LSD.
More recently, a 2022 YouGov Survey found that one in four Britons (39%) had used recreational drugs, and this number rose to around 50% for the 25-55 age group.
Among college students, recreational drug use is even higher, with 58% of respondents to a survey conducted by drug welfare companies Neurosight and Drugs and Me, stating that they had ingested an illegal substance between September and December 2020.
The point is, it’s very common.
But since drug use is so entrenched in certain social groups and activities, it can be difficult to recognize if your drug use is becoming problematic.
“One of the biggest challenges with illicit drug use is that social groups and friendship groups form patterns of behavior, which is very normal within that group,” Paul North, who specializes in addiction, drug policy and harm reduction, tells Metro. co.uk.
He gives the example of a group of friends who often go to shows or nightclubs and always take a certain drug, such as MDMA or cocaine.
“In their small subculture and group of friends, that could become the most natural thing in the world,” says Paul. “They use that drug to enjoy it and they have easy access to it.
‘But the challenge for that group is to have a barometer outside of their social circle about what other groups could do.
‘And [when they don’t]Problematic behavior patterns and relationships with drugs can become very common, and once it has become the norm, it can become very difficult to deviate from it, question it or challenge it.”
In addition, Paul says that just because some people have a lot of experience with a particular drug, it doesn’t mean they fully understand its harmful effects.
Moreover, a lack of up-to-date information and harm reduction advice, combined with the stigma placed on drug users, makes it difficult to have conversations about problem drug use at all.
How do you know if your drug use has become problematic?
While there are some clear warning signs that someone may have a drug problem, such as taking a substance every day, using a substance alone, or even using drugs in problematic situations, such as at work, these are not the only things to look out for. must pay attention.
Indeed, as Paul points out, someone who only uses drugs in social situations can still use problematic drugs.
“There are multiple factors to look at,” he says. “It’s not just about the frequency of use, whether they do it or not, it’s a much more complex relationship.”
But there are some questions to ask yourself if you’re worried you might have a problem.
Imagine a life without the drug
One exercise Paul recommends, especially for an occasion where you would normally take the drug of choice, is to imagine how you would feel if you decided not to get any.
‘Does that fill you with sadness, fear and anxiety? Think you won’t like the event and don’t want to go? Or don’t you mind, do you still think it would be fun?’ says Paul.
“It’s a useful exercise because it helps one identify the importance of the drug in that situation, and it can be an indication of how much value and value you place on a drug over the other part of the experience, such as seeing your friends or dancing.” .’
He continues: ‘If you choose to use illegal or illegal drugs, it should be about making a good time better, rather than making a bad time bearable – it should add to the experience rather than help you. deal with it.’
If you identify more with the latter, you may have a problem.
How does your drug use affect your life?
If you take too many drugs on purpose — or even if it’s unintentional — you’re likely to notice a knock-on effect on your daily life.
For example, Paul advises you to think about how you feel after taking a substance. If you’re feeling awful and it’s taking days to recover, that’s something to look into. But you also need to look at the other ways it can affect you.
“An important point to consider is your finances,” adds Paul. “When you look at my bank account and think about the drug, how much money are you actually spending on it? Do you prioritize it over things like your gym membership, food, or bills?’
You may have noticed a decline in your physical or mental health, or even your work ethic.
If drug use is getting in the way of living a full, healthy, and happy life, that can be problematic.
Do drugs make you compromise on your values?
Finally, it’s a good idea to consider whether your drug use is causing you to compromise on your values.
Paul recommends writing down all of your core values before attempting to tackle this question.
“Maybe you care about family, work, your health, being active in your community,” says Paul. “Once you’ve identified these things, you need to analyze what relationship your drug use has with them.”
So, for example, if you don’t go to family because you’re in a slump, or if you prefer to take drugs, you’re putting your values at risk.
Or maybe you’re taking a sick day from work because you’re completely wiped out after a bow.
In this case, it’s also a good idea to “zoom out,” Paul says: be introspective and think about what it was like before you started using drugs.
How were things different, if at all, and how much has your drug use changed?
If there’s a noticeable difference, it might be time to talk to someone.
If you or someone you know struggles with drug use, visit this page to find some drug treatment and counseling services near you.
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