Cocaine Addiction in the UK: Latest Statistics, Signs, and Treatment Options in 2025

Looking for clear, current insight into the reality of cocaine use across the UK? Wondering how to spot the warning signs, or where to turn for help? You’re certainly not alone.

Cocaine addiction continues to shape conversations from bustling city centres to quiet rural towns, gripping families, communities, and the healthcare system itself. This comprehensive guide delves into up-to-date statistics, uncovers the physical and behavioural signs to watch for, and sheds light on the latest support options available this year.

2025: Cocaine Use and Addiction by the Numbers

The numbers tell a stark story. Cocaine remains one of the most commonly used illegal drugs in the UK, with new data from 2025 painting a clear picture of its ongoing reach:

• Over 12,000 hospital admissions in England were linked directly to cocaine for the 2024-2025 period, with young men making up the majority of cases.
• Official surveys suggest that around 10% of UK adults have used cocaine at some point in their lives. A figure that has doubled in the last twenty years.
• The number of adults entering treatment for crack cocaine (which includes cocaine powder and crack) stayed at around 19% of all new substance misuse treatment referrals, making up around 30,000 people this year.
• The purity of street cocaine in the UK has continued to rise, raising concerns among healthcare providers and policy makers about its heightened risks.

Is this upward trend driven by growing availability, changing attitudes, or the stresses of modern life? The answer isn’t always straightforward, but what is clear is that more people, from all backgrounds, are feeling the impact of cocaine addiction. Directly or through the ripple effects within their communities.

Spotting the Signs: Physical and Behavioural Clues of Cocaine Addiction

How can you tell if someone is struggling with cocaine use? The effects of the drug can be both subtle and startling, with some changes flying under the radar until the situation becomes more serious.

Physical Signs to Watch For

• Sudden weight loss or reduced appetite
• Dilated (enlarged) pupils and bloodshot eyes
• Frequent nosebleeds or runny nose (even without a cold)
• Restlessness, twitching, or jitteriness
• Unusually rapid speech and hyperactivity
• Unexplained burns or sores, particularly on fingers or lips (from crack cocaine use)

Behavioural Red Flags

• Dramatic mood swings, from euphoria to irritability or anxiety
• Secretive behaviour, isolating from family or friends
• Neglect of work, studies, or previously enjoyed activities
• Financial problems or unexplained spending
• Risk-taking actions, such as driving dangerously or legal issues
• Sudden changes in social circles

Those who work in healthcare frequently report cases where individuals only seek help after experiencing a health crisis or intervention by loved ones. Drawing from years of professional experience, it’s clear that early intervention. Prompted by recognising these signs. Can make a significant difference in outcomes.

If you spot several of these indicators in yourself or someone close to you, it might be time to have an honest conversation or reach out for guidance. Acting early can prevent health or relationship crises down the line.

What’s New in 2025? Enhanced NHS-Funded Support and Treatment Options

With the NHS continuing to adapt to the growing challenge of cocaine addiction, 2025 has seen an expanded range of services and support that reflect both medical best practice and real-world experience.

• Free Drug and Alcohol Services: Most local areas now provide walk-in drug and alcohol clinics, offering assessments, harm-reduction strategies, and peer support.
• Talking Therapies: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based interventions are available across the country. These help individuals understand triggers, develop coping strategies, and build a foundation for lasting recovery.
• Medication: While there is still no specific medication that cures cocaine addiction, the NHS can offer medication to help manage associated anxiety, depression, or insomnia.
• Group Therapy and Peer Support: Sharing experiences in a supportive group setting can be a lifeline for many in early recovery. Peer mentors. Often individuals who have successfully overcome addiction themselves. Share advice and encouragement.
• Inpatient (Residential) Rehabilitation: For the most severe cases, referral to residential rehab is possible. These high-intensity options are typically reserved for those who have not responded to outpatient treatment, or who need a safe environment away from triggers.

The landscape for support is more integrated than ever. Recent NHS policy changes place greater emphasis on joined-up care: support from GPs, mental health teams, and social services now combines to give those in need holistic and continuous help.

Outpatient vs Residential Rehab: Which Path to Recovery?

A common dilemma for many facing cocaine addiction is choosing between outpatient and residential (inpatient) rehab. Each option brings distinct advantages, and the right choice depends on the severity of addiction, individual needs, and available support at home.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

• Flexibility: Attend scheduled appointments, therapy sessions, and group meetings while continuing to live at home.
• Best For: Those with a mild to moderate problem, strong support from family or friends, and the motivation to attend regular sessions.
• NHS-Funded: Most outpatient services in the UK are funded by the NHS and typically do not require payment.

Residential (Inpatient) Rehabilitation

• 24/7 Structure and Support: Stay at the treatment centre for a set period (often several weeks) and follow a daily recovery programme.
• Best For: Anyone who has struggled with repeated relapses, lacks a stable home environment or is at high risk of medical complications during withdrawal.
• Referral Needed: Access to NHS-funded residential rehab often requires a GP or addiction team referral, and is usually reserved for the most complex cases.

Professional experience has shown that recovery journeys are as individual as the people making them. Some thrive with outpatient support, while others benefit from the immersive, structured space that residential care provides. Both paths are valid and can be effective when tailored to fit each person’s unique circumstances.

Taking the First Step: How to Get Help in the UK

Recognising a problem with cocaine is an important moment. Seeking help is the turning point. There’s a clear route for anyone ready to get support, no matter their situation or background.

• Start with Your GP: GPs are trained to handle addiction referrals discreetly and without judgement. They can signpost local NHS drug treatment services, initiate assessments, and discuss treatment options.
• Contact Helplines: The Frank helpline (0300 123 6600) is confidential and available across the UK for advice on all aspects of drug use and support.
• Local NHS Drug and Alcohol Teams: These teams welcome self-referrals. You can often contact them directly. Either in person or online. Without needing to go through your GP.
• Charity and Peer Services: Charities such as Mind, CGL (Change Grow Live), and local community projects offer support ranging from housing to harm reduction and advocacy.
• Private vs Public Treatment: Private clinics provide rapid admission and additional amenities, but come at a cost, often exceeding several thousand pounds for residential care. NHS and charity-funded options are free and accessible but may involve waiting times.

No matter which you choose, what makes the difference is reaching out. That initial phone call or appointment can feel daunting, but for many, it marks the beginning of a new chapter. Countless people across the UK have re-built their lives after addiction. Proof that change is possible.

Finding Hope and Moving Forward

Cocaine addiction remains a pressing public health challenge in the UK, but our collective understanding, support, and treatment options have never been wider or more robust. The latest statistics are sobering, yet they only tell part of the story. The human side matters most. Every number represents someone’s journey, struggles, and potential for change.

If you’ve spotted signs of cocaine misuse in yourself or someone close to you, remember: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. With the right support from GPs, NHS teams, charities, and recovery communities, real transformation is within reach. Whether you choose outpatient support, residential rehabilitation, or simply start by making a confidential call, a path forward is available.

Take the step today. Toward safety, clarity, and a life free from the grip of addiction. You deserve it. So does everyone affected by this complex but treatable struggle.