Home / Health / Opioid Crisis: 500,000 Brits Hooked on Common Meds
Opioid Crisis: 500,000 Brits Hooked on Common Meds
18 Nov
Summary
- An estimated 500,000 Britons are addicted to common opioid medications.
- Individuals can consume up to 20 opioid capsules daily to satisfy cravings.
- GPs and pharmacies are actively reducing opioid prescriptions nationwide.
A significant opioid addiction crisis is affecting an estimated 500,000 people across Britain, with many becoming dependent on common over-the-counter and prescription medications. Individuals struggling with addiction reportedly consume as many as 20 capsules per day to curb cravings for drugs like codeine and tramadol.
While opioids can be effective for short-term pain relief, the NHS warns of the dangers of long-term use. This includes potential physical and mental health issues, dependence, and even fatal outcomes from accidental overdoses or related heart conditions. The scale of the problem is underscored by over a million individuals taking painkillers for more than three months in 2021.
Efforts are underway to curb the rising tide of opioid addiction. General practitioners and pharmacies are actively working to reduce the number of prescriptions issued. Additionally, retailers like Sainsbury's have implemented purchasing restrictions, limiting customers to a maximum of two packets of certain pain relief products per transaction.
