A rise in prescription drug use across the UK could be fueling a hidden crisis affecting millions, experts have said, as Scottish government data shows a dramatic rise in deaths linked to tranquilisers.

Doctors, drug counsellors and charity workers say a growing number of people coming through their doors are seeking help for prescription drug addictions.



It comes as new data shows a surge in deaths in Scotland linked to Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine tranquiliser used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, and sold under the trade name Xanax.

The number of deaths increased from a handful between 2007 and 2015, to two in 2015, 24 in 2016 and 99 last year. Deaths linked to benzodiazepines generally went from 192 in 2015 to 431 in 2016 and 555 last year.

Xanax misuse: doctors warn of 'emerging crisis' as UK sales rise Read more

A breakdown of the figures prepared for the Guardian by the National Records of Scotland showed those who died in 2017 were mostly men over the age of 35, fitting the profile of the so-called Trainspotting generation of long-term, habitual drug takers who first began using in the 1980s and 1990s.

Xanax is not available on the NHS and can only be obtained on a private prescription in the UK. It is usually sourced from the internet or other illegal suppliers. Tranquillisers are controlled under class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Harry Shapiro, the director of DrugWise, says there could be a similar pattern across the UK to that found in Scotland. Prescription drug addiction was likely to affect not only marginalised groups but could be a hidden problem that affects millions of people, he said.

“There is no data for it, but if you add up all the clinical reports, anecdotal evidence – bearing in mind number of prescriptions – there are millions of prescriptions written every year, for a range of drugs. I cannot believe the toll this takes doesn’t go into the millions,” he said.

Experts say the growth in prescription drug use comes at a time of reduced NHS addiction services. There are few dedicated services for those in need, leaving people to turn to Facebook groups and helplines for support. The government has ordered an investigation into the problem.

The type of drugs people are using include benzodiazepines such as Valium, Ativan and Xanax, and opioid pain-relief drugs. Some benzodiazepines are available on NHS prescription, but are only supposed to be used in the short term. Research shows that about four in every 10 people who take them every day for more than six weeks become addicted.



Xanax use in particular has risen in recent months. A quarter of services run by Addaction, the UK’s largest drug and alcohol charity, have noted an increase in interest and availability. These include Kent, Glasgow and services in the north-west. “As a service overall it is fair to say that we have seen a general increase in awareness of Xanax over the last six months to a year,” said Rick Bradley, who works for Addaction.

Benzodiazepines become especially dangerous when mixed with other substances such as alcohol or opiates. When alcohol and benzodiazepines are combined, they can greatly relax muscles and bring the central nervous system to a crawl, which can result in unconsciousness or even a coma.

Admissions for prescription drugs to UK Addiction Treatment Centres (Ukat), which provide private in-patient rehabilitation in England, has risen by a third in the past few years. In 2017, 134 people entered services, up from 101 in 2015. There have been 87 admissions so far in 2018.

“Prescription drug addiction is a very real crisis in the UK and one that is understandably difficult to get a grip of, given that people believe if they’re prescribed it by their GP, then they’re not an addict,” said Ukat’s founder, Eytan Alexander.

“The fact of the matter is that in most cases, the recommended dosage and length of time of consumption is exceeded, meaning that person is now a drug abuser, regardless of the ‘legality’ of the drug in question.”

A survey of patients visiting addiction services at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust from April 2014 to March 2016 found 228 referrals were for benzodiazepine and opioid analgesics as the primary substance of misuse. This despite the trust not being commissioned to provide such a service. About 50% of the referrals were for benzodiazepine misuse.



Yasir Abbasi, the clinical director of addiction services at the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said there were fewer services now available for those with prescription drug problems, coming “at a time when we are almost at crisis point”.



“I have been raising concerns about the rise in prescription drug dependence since 2012. At a time when drug-related deaths are at their highest and there are unregulated online sources of prescription, there is a reduction of NHS addiction services across the country,” he said.

“There need to be concerted efforts and resources allocated to develop specific services for prescription addiction because taking them off their prescription only is not the answer.

“I am also concerned at the disappearance of NHS addiction inpatient units from England. I can reveal that there are only five such NHS units left in the whole of England. It’s almost a scandal that no one wants to talk about.”