News | Addiction and substance misuse

News

Drug-related deaths increase by 6% in England and Wales to record levels

Data from the Office for National Statistics show there were 4,859 drug-related deaths in 2021, the highest number since records began in 1993.…

Published: 5 August 2022

News

Naloxone should be available over the counter, recommend Scottish government advisors

The Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce report said that mainstreaming naloxone would help to reduce 'harmful stigma" around substance use.…

Published: 22 July 2022

News

‘Deep disappointment’ as government rules out proposals for a national prescribed drug dependence helpline

Exclusive: A recommended national prescribed drug dependence helpline will not be taken forward by the government, meeting minutes have revealed.…

Published: 15 July 2022

Feature

Opioids: what can be done about long-term prescribing?

Recent data show the number of patients taking long-term opioids has increased significantly, suggesting there is still progress to make in this area of prescribing.…

Published: 30 June 2022

News

Long-term opioid prescribing rates rose by almost a third during the COVID-19 pandemic

Exclusive: "Worrying" NHS data show a dramatic escalation in the number of patients prescribed opioids for longer than three months.…

Published: 29 June 2022

Feature

In figures: the rise in long-term opioid use

Although overall opioid use in primary care has fallen in England, there has been a worrying increase in the number of patients taking them long term, and opioid deaths overall continue to rise.…

Published: 29 June 2022

News

Diamorphine shortage causing former heroin users to relapse for first time in a decade, charities warn

With all strengths of diamorphine injections currently out of stock, charities have said patients are returning to using heroin.…

Published: 17 June 2022

News

MHRA reviewing impact of warning labels on sales and prescribing of codeine linctus

Exclusive: A review of the benefits and risks of codeine linctus will consider sales, prescribing and misuse before and after labelling changes.…

Published: 14 June 2022

Opinion

Pharmacies and opioid dependency: working together to better support recovery

One patient in particular led Rachel Britton to discover and develop the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in helping people with opioid dependency.…

Published: 6 June 2022

News

NICE has ‘failed to listen to patient evidence’ on prescription drug withdrawal, claims parliamentary group

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence has criticised the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on its new guidance on tapered withdrawal of dependency-forming drugs.…

Published: 21 April 2022