ONS + OHID · updated 2024-10
UK addiction statistics by region
Regional drug-poisoning deaths, alcohol-specific mortality and adults in structured treatment across the nine English regions. Compiled from ONS 2023 registrations and OHID's Fingertips platform.
Drug-poisoning deaths (England, 2023)
4,800
Alcohol-specific deaths rate / 100k
14.5
Adults in treatment (2022/23)
253,000
Regions, ranked by drug-poisoning mortality
| Region | Drug deaths | Rate / 100k | Alcohol rate | In treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East | 385 | 130.9 | 21.6 | 15,400 |
| North West | 852 | 97.4 | 18.1 | 47,800 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 555 | 92.1 | 15.4 | 34,500 |
| South West | 528 | 85.3 | 14.9 | 20,200 |
| West Midlands | 502 | 74.7 | 15.2 | 32,100 |
| East Midlands | 396 | 72.4 | 14.7 | 22,800 |
| South East | 673 | 64.2 | 12.7 | 27,600 |
| East of England | 425 | 57.4 | 12.5 | 18,700 |
| London | 484 | 47.6 | 11.2 | 33,900 |
Rates are per 100,000 population, age-standardised where the source provides it. Numbers cover registrations in the calendar year 2023 (ONS) or the financial year 2022/23 (OHID).
Regional deep-dives
North East
Highest drug-poisoning mortality rate of any English region for the 11th consecutive year.
North West
Second-highest drug-death rate in England; alcohol admissions well above the national average.
Yorkshire & Humber
Drug-poisoning mortality significantly above the England average.
East Midlands
Rising cocaine-related deaths, in line with the national trend.
West Midlands
Steady drug-poisoning rate but rising numbers in treatment for crack and powder cocaine.
East of England
Below-average drug-poisoning rate but sharpest rise in cocaine deaths since 2021.
London
Lowest drug-poisoning mortality rate of any English region but the highest raw cocaine-death count.
South East
Below-average rates but the largest total number of adults in structured treatment outside the North West.
South West
Third-highest regional drug-poisoning rate in England, driven by opioid deaths in coastal towns.