Duchess urges people to seek help if they are struggling with addiction
The Duchess of Cambridge has urged people struggling with addiction to seek help, as new research revealed a quarter of UK adults are drinking more in lockdown.
More than a third, 39 per cent, with a history of addiction have reported a recurrence of their addictive behaviour or have recently relapsed while in recovery.
The statistics from a Yougov poll for the charity Action on Addiction also showed an increase in addictive behaviour in young adults and children as young as 12, during the Covid-19 crisis.
Some 4 per cent of those questioned have a close relative between the ages of 12 and 25 for whom this is the case, which the charity said would amount to more than two million children and young people on a national scale.
Kate made a virtual visit to Clouds House, a rehab centre in Wiltshire run by Action on Addiction, in her role as patron of the charity.
In a video call from her family home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the duchess talked to staff about how they have adapted their services. She also discussed fears that more people will need treatment as the lockdown eases.
Kate said: “The worrying thing is, it is all those people who aren’t necessarily reaching out who are struggling, who perhaps don’t feel they can reach out.
“Or the fact that maybe they haven’t realised that addictive behaviours have sort of established, particularly if it’s the first time - and it’s those people who aren’t necessarily being vocal about it.
“It’s making sure that they know they can reach out and that you are there to help and support them in this very difficult time.”
Kate was given a briefing on the new research and spoke to chief executive Graham Beech, clinical lead Dr Simone Yule and treatment manager Anya Sparks, about whether they had noticed a difference in the number of people contacting them for emergency help.
Dr Yule said: “We are seeing more alcohol issues and in the community. I think definitely we know alcohol sales have gone up exponentially, so the rise in people that are now starting to seek treatment with lockdown gradually lifting, I think that is going to have a big impact.”
Mr Beech told the duchess their website was busier than ever.
He added: “More people are drinking and gambling but also we are concerned about the number of people who are struggling to maintain their recovery and are getting into relapse. We are particularly concerned about families and young people.”