The scale of addiction
Taking Action on Addiction uses polling to help drive change and raise awareness of the scale and complexity of addiction.
In 2023, our Ipsos Mori poll sampled 2,000 people aged between 18-75 in the UK and found that:
1,062 adults (53%) have experienced addiction or dependency or know someone who has.
813 adults (41%) know someone close to them who has experienced addiction or dependency.
468 adults (23%) know a family member who experienced an addiction or dependency.
In 2025, our Ipsos MORI polling highlighted just how difficult it can be for people to talk openly about addiction or seek support. When asked how comfortable they would feel speaking to someone about their addiction, many respondents said they would feel uncomfortable discussing it with:
These findings underline the stigma and barriers that many people affected by addiction continue to face, even when speaking to those closest to them or to healthcare professionals who could provide support.
In 2026, a landmark report co-authored by The Forward Trust and Crest Advisory for the Taking Action on Addiction campaign brought together addiction data from all four UK nations for the first time. The report estimated that around:
750,000 people in the UK are addicted to alcohol
400,000 people are addicted to illegal drugs
275,000 people are experiencing gambling addiction
Perhaps most strikingly, the report found that drug and alcohol-related deaths across the UK have reached record levels. Approximately 17,000 people died from drug or alcohol-related causes in 2025, with the true figure likely to be even higher, as substance use is not always identified or recorded in coroners' reports. These findings highlight the scale of addiction in the UK and the urgent need for greater awareness, support and action.
