Addiction in United Kingdom

Effects of high addiction-related stress on health and personal life

Health effects

• Physical: sleep disturbance, changes in appetite or weight, fatigue, headaches, immune function changes, and higher blood pressure.
• Mental: increased anxiety or depression, irritability, poorer concentration, sleep problems, and stronger cravings or compulsions.

Personal life effects

• Relationships: more conflict, trust problems, withdrawal from loved ones, and reduced intimacy.
• Finances and housing: debt, frequent job changes or unemployment risk, and housing instability.
• Social life and parenting: isolation, reduced social support, and less engagement with children or dependents.

Coping strategies (quick wins)

• Reach out: talk to a trusted person, GP, or addiction support service about what you’re experiencing.
• Create a plan: use formal support (e.g., addiction services or EAP in work) to set achievable steps.
• Grounding and routine: practice grounding exercises, maintain regular sleep, meals, and limits on substances.
• Workplace boundaries: discuss reasonable accommodations with HR or a manager to protect rest and focus.
• Move mindfully: incorporate light exercise or walks and aim for balanced meals to stabilise mood.

When to seek urgent help

• Thoughts of harming yourself or others, inability to keep yourself safe, or severe withdrawal symptoms. If in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

UK resources

• NHS mental health services via your GP or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency needs.
• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7 confidential emotional support).
• FRANK: 0800 555 111 or thinkfrank.org.uk for information about drugs and safer choices.
• Local addiction services or IAPT/step-change programs through the NHS or your employer’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

How October can help

• October offers digital group sessions, assessments, and content focused on stress management and coping with addiction-related pressures. If you’re an employee or employer, consider using October to support team well-being and early intervention.

Economic effects of high addiction-related stress in the UK

• Reduced productivity due to absenteeism and presenteeism lowers overall output.
• Increased NHS and social care costs from higher treatment needs and longer-term conditions.
• Talent attrition and higher recruitment costs, plus lower labour market participation.
• Higher costs associated with crime enforcement and welfare dependency in some areas.
• Lower tax receipts and slower long-term growth due to dampened consumer spending and productivity.

Workplace implications and responses

• Implement confidential, stigma-free employee assistance programs (EAPs) and early intervention.
• Offer flexible work patterns and workload management to reduce stress and burnout.
• Provide scalable mental health support and assessments (e.g., digital group sessions) through platforms like October, integrated with October’s workplace programs.

What can a country do to lower addiction-related stress?

• Expand access to evidence-based treatment and harm reduction (e.g., quick entry to services, longer-term support, naloxone distribution).

• Integrate addiction care with mental health and primary care (routine screening for substance use and co-occurring conditions; co-located services; clinician training).

• Invest in prevention and early intervention (school programs, community hubs, family support, targeted risk screening).

• Address social determinants (affordable housing, living wages, job security, social protections) to reduce chronic stress linked to substance use.

• Strengthen public health policies to reduce exposure and stigma (reasonable advertising/price controls for alcohol, anti-stigma campaigns, ensuring equitable access to care).

• Scale digital mental health supports and workplace initiatives (e.g., partnerships with platforms like October for digital group sessions, assessments, and stress-management content; plus employer-provided EAPs and manager training).

• Build a supportive, confidential culture: reduce stigma through leadership messaging, privacy protections, and non-judgmental language around addiction.

• Improve access to help: provide confidential EAP and occupational health referrals, clear signposting to NHS addiction services, and offer digital resources like October for group sessions and assessments.

• Train managers: empower them with compassionate conversations, early intervention, workload adjustments, and relapse-aware planning.

• Implement clear policies and flexible accommodations: non-punitive treatment approaches, paid time off for treatment, flexible hours or remote options, and planning for sobriety-friendly events.

• Reduce triggers and boost resilience: limit alcohol at work events with non-alcohol options, promote stress management and coping skills programs (CBT/m mindfulness), and encourage regular check-ins while protecting privacy.