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In date order, Monday to Friday
Clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment
UK clinical guidelines recommending interventions for people with harmful patterns of drinking and alcohol dependence, supporting and promoting good practice | DHSC, UK
Consultation outcome - UK clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment
We received 776 responses to the consultation, which came from across the UK. The responses were predominantly positive. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents who answered the question about whether the draft guidelines covered all the main topics in alcohol treatment said that they did. We did not need to make any changes to the substantive recommendations in the guidelines | DHSC, UK
Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2023/4
This survey provides data on the prevalence of both treated and untreated psychiatric disorder in the English adult population. It was found that hazardous drinking declined, while the proportion reporting signs of drug dependence rose. Signs of dependence on illicit drugs increased from 3.8% of 16 to 64 year olds in 2014 to 6.7% in 2023/4, mostly related to increases in signs of dependence on cannabis | NatCen, UK
Smoke and Mirrors - Unmasking disinformation from the tobacco industry (PDF)
Disinformation threatens our ability to improve public health, muddying the information water. It can aggravate debates and exacerbate divides within the tobacco control community, as well as impede the development and implementation of life-saving public health initiatives. Ultimately, disinformation can be used by the tobacco industry to serve its interests, often at the expense of public health | Bath University, UK
Clinical use of nitrous oxide could help treat depression, major study shows
Largest analysis of global trial data shows clinical nitrous oxide as a promising rapid-acting treatment for depressive disorders | University of Birmingham, UK
Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy: The Evidence
Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that can affect individuals of all ages. Treatment is far from perfect, and roughly 30% of patients can experience seizures that are resistant to antiseizure medications. Interestingly, the cannabis plant, specifically the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been shown to possess anticonvulsant properties and are effective in the treatment of seizures | British Journal of Hospital Medicine, UK
Addiction Awareness Week 2025 in review - The Conversations That Changed Everything
As Addiction Awareness Week 2025 comes to an end, we reflect on a powerful, inspiring and thrilling week of campaigning that evidently got the nation talking about addiction | Forward Trust, UK
Alcohol-free drinks popular during pregnancy – but new research shows guidelines are lacking
Despite widespread use during pregnancy and continued growth of the no- and low-alcohol drinks market – such as alcohol-free or low-alcohol beers, wines and spirits – the findings highlight that many women feel there is a lack of guidance from healthcare professionals about these alternatives, prompting calls for clearer information and support | University of Plymouth, UK
Peer support to help people with alcohol, liver and mental health needs
A new research study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) started on Monday 1 December. The Care for Alcohol, Liver and Mental health needs (CALM) project aims to develop and test a new model of peer support to help people struggling with these challenges. The project is working closely with people with lived experience and there are opportunities to get involved | University of Plymouth, UK
Four-fifths of drivers support alcohol interlocks to cut drink-driving
Four-in-five drivers in the UK (82%) support the introduction of alcohol interlocks to reduce instances of repeat drink-driving, with just 7% against such use and 12% unsure, new RAC figures show | RAC, UK
Drug spray used 'more than police force expected'
A life-saving spray which reverses the effect of opioid drug overdoses has been used by North Yorkshire Police "a lot more" than expected, the force said. Since introducing it in April 2024, 337 police officers and police community support officers have been trained to use and carry naloxone in the county. It has been used 37 times, officers said, with 17 incidents recorded where a drug-user's life was saved or their health improved, according to force harm reduction officer Danny Stannard | BBC, UK
Drug use is changing in England – with more adults showing signs of dependence
Drug use appears to be changing in England – both in the types of drugs people take and their potency, according to our latest survey of adult mental health and wellbeing | Conversation, UK
David Wood to chair Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones has announced Professor David Wood as the new chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Professor David Wood is a professor of clinical toxicology and consultant physician, specialising in the care of individuals admitted to hospital due to drug and medication overdoses | ACMD, UK
MP calls for more support for children of alcoholics
The Conservative MP for Mid-Norfolk, George Freeman, warned the "carnage" caused by alcohol dependency was more likely to see children ending up in care. Freeman is leading a group of MPs who want stronger safeguarding and improved mental health support for young people | BBC, UK
Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2024 to 2025: report
There were 329,646 adults aged 18 and over in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services between April 2024 and March 2025. This is a 6% rise compared to the previous year and the highest number of adults in treatment since reporting began. The number of adults entering treatment in 2024 to 2025 was 169,542, which is higher than the previous 2 years’ figures | OHID, UK
Children's substance misuse treatment statistics 2024 to 2025: report
There were 16,212 children (aged 17 and under) in alcohol and drug treatment between April 2024 and March 2025. This is a 13% increase from the previous year (14,352). However, the number in treatment is 34% lower than the peak of 24,494 in 2008 to 2009. Cannabis remained the most common substance (86%) that children came to treatment for. Around 2 in 5 children in treatment (38%) said they had problems with alcohol use, 8% had problems with ecstasy and 6% reported problems with powder cocaine use | OHID, UK
Joint call for ban on unethical ‘patient brokering’ in addiction treatment services
The Local Government Association and campaigners are calling for urgent action to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable people through ‘patient brokering’ in England’s drug and alcohol treatment sector. Patient brokering involves individuals or organisations receiving financial incentives for referring patients to specific private addiction rehabilitation centres, regardless of whether it is in the best interest of the needs of the patient | LGA, UK
Minimum Unit Pricing in the UK: Who’s backing it and who’s blocking it?
Divided stakeholder opinions, opposition from key alcohol industry voices, cost implications for consumers, and wider public unpopularity are arguments often cited when UK governments have decided against MUP in England. This report collated publicly available stakeholder positions on MUP in the UK to build a clearer picture of support and opposition, major reasons why, and whether MUP is as polarising as portrayed | IAS, UK
Commission presents new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against drug trafficking
On 4 December, the Commission presented a new EU Drugs Strategy and an Action Plan against drug trafficking, as well as updated rules for monitoring and controlling drug precursors. Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines and a key deliverable under the ProtectEU - European Internal Security Strategy, they set out a comprehensive EU response to the security, health, social and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs | European Commission, Belgium