Over 2.7 million adults in England and Wales used an illegal drug last year. Young men in London reported a rate of 25.6%, four times higher than that of people in managerial roles. This analysis details the stark demographic and geographic patterns behind the national statistics.
Key Takeaways
- Males aged 16-24 had 22.3% last year drug use rate in CSEW 2022/23.
- Females aged 16-24 showed 15.2% last year drug use prevalence in England and Wales 2022/23.
- Among 25-34 year old males, cocaine powder use last year was 6.8% in 2022/23 CSEW.
- Powder cocaine was used in the last year by 4.2% of 16-24 year olds in England and Wales 2022/23.
- Cannabis remains the most prevalent drug with 2.3 million past year users aged 16-59 in 2022/23 CSEW.
- Crack cocaine last year prevalence was 0.3% among 16-59s, but 0.03% overall in England/Wales 2022/23.
- In 2022/23, there were 82,190 adults in treatment for drug misuse in England, a 5% increase from prior year.
- Drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached 4,907 in 2022, mostly opioids at 73%.
- Overdose deaths involving cocaine rose 30% to 1,466 in 2022 UK-wide.
- In 2022/23, Class A drug possession arrests were 56,000 in England/Wales.
- Drug supply offences: 24,300 arrests in year ending March 2023 England/Wales.
- Last year drug use prevalence increased 16% from 2021/22 to 2022/23 CSEW.
- In 2022/23, 2.7 million adults aged 16-59 in England and Wales had taken an illegal drug in the last year, equating to 8.4% prevalence rate.
- Lifetime drug use among adults aged 16-59 in England and Wales stood at 50.2% in 2022/23, with over 16 million people having ever tried an illegal drug.
- In 2022/23, the prevalence of last year drug use among 16-24 year olds in England and Wales was 18.8%, compared to 7.3% for 25-59 year olds.
Cannabis remains most used, with last year drug use rising in 2022 to 8.4% in England and Wales.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographic Variations25 stats
01
Males aged 16-24 had 22.3% last year drug use rate in CSEW 2022/23.
02
Females aged 16-24 showed 15.2% last year drug use prevalence in England and Wales 2022/23.
03
Among 25-34 year old males, cocaine powder use last year was 6.8% in 2022/23 CSEW.
04
Black ethnic group had 12.4% last year drug use vs 8.1% White in CSEW 2022/23.
05
Asian adults 16-59 had 5.3% last year prevalence in England/Wales 2022/23.
06
Unemployed males 16-59: 18.7% last year drug use in CSEW 2022/23.
07
Full-time students aged 16-24: 24.1% cannabis last year use in 2022/23.
08
London males 16-24: 25.6% last year drug use prevalence CSEW 2022/23.
09
Females over 35 had 4.2% last year use vs 9.1% males in same age group 2022/23.
10
In Scotland, 16-24 males had 21.3% past year drug use in 2019/20 SCJS.
11
NI 15-34 year olds: 11.2% past year use, higher in males at 13.8% in 2019/20.
12
Socioeconomic gradient: Routine/manual workers 11.3% vs managerial 5.9% last year use CSEW 2022/23.
13
LGBT+ adults reported 20.4% last year drug use vs 7.9% heterosexuals in integrated UK surveys 2021.
14
Single/never married 16-59s: 12.6% prevalence vs 5.4% married CSEW 2022/23.
15
In North West England, 16-24 females: 17.8% last year use 2022/23.
16
Mixed ethnicity group: 14.7% last year drug use among 16-59s CSEW 2022/23.
17
Over 60s in UK: lifetime use around 20%, but past year <1% per ONS 2020 data.
18
Disabled adults: 9.8% last year use vs 8.0% non-disabled CSEW 2022/23.
19
University graduates: 6.5% last year use vs 10.2% no qualifications 16-59s 2022/23.
20
Yorkshire males 35-59: 6.4% cocaine use last year CSEW 2022/23.
21
In Wales, 16-24 females: 16.5% prevalence 2022/23 CSEW.
22
Low income households (<£10k): 13.2% drug use vs high income 6.1% CSEW 2022/23.
23
Widowed/divorced: 7.9% last year use higher than average CSEW 2022/23.
24
East Midlands 16-24 males: 23.1% last year use 2022/23.
25
Cannabis last year use among 16-59 males was 8.2% vs 5.1% females in CSEW 2022/23.
Interpretation
Demographic Variations Interpretation
Under the Demographic Variations theme, drug use in the UK is notably higher for younger men and some groups, with 22.3% of males aged 16 to 24 reporting last year use in 2022 to 2023 CSEW compared with 15.2% for females of the same age group in England and Wales, and 12.4% among the Black ethnic group versus 8.1% for White adults.
02 · Category
Drug Specific Usage24 stats
01
Powder cocaine was used in the last year by 4.2% of 16-24 year olds in England and Wales 2022/23.
02
Cannabis remains the most prevalent drug with 2.3 million past year users aged 16-59 in 2022/23 CSEW.
03
Crack cocaine last year prevalence was 0.3% among 16-59s, but 0.03% overall in England/Wales 2022/23.
04
Heroin use in last year: 0.2% of adults 16-59 in CSEW 2022/23.
05
Ecstasy/MDMA last year use: 0.9% for 16-59s, peaking at 3.2% for 16-24s in 2022/23.
06
Ketamine last year use rose to 1.0% among 16-59s in England and Wales 2022/23.
07
Cocaine powder frequency: 1 in 5 users consumed 20+ times last year CSEW 2022/23.
08
Methamphetamine use remains very low at <0.1% last year prevalence in UK surveys.
09
Magic mushrooms/psilocybin last year use: 0.2% of 16-59s CSEW 2022/23.
10
Benzodiazepines misuse (non-medical) last year: 1.3% among adults 16-59 2022/23.
11
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) use reported by 7.7% of 16-24s in last year 2022/23 CSEW.
12
In Scotland, cannabis past year use 9.8% adults 16+ in 2019/20 SCJS.
13
NI cocaine powder past year 2.1% for 15-64s in 2019/20 survey.
14
Opioid misuse (heroin/other) 0.8% lifetime high but 0.1% past year UK average.
15
Synthetic cannabinoids (spice) use declined to 0.4% last year CSEW 2022/23.
16
Amphetamines last year use 0.8% for 16-59s, mostly speed not meth CSEW 2022/23.
17
GHB/GBL last year prevalence 0.1% among general population 16-59s 2022/23.
18
Poppers (amyl nitrite) reported by 1.2% last year, often with other drugs CSEW.
19
Hallucinogens other than LSD/ecstasy: 0.4% last year use 2022/23 CSEW.
20
Anabolic steroids non-medical use: 0.5% past year among males 16-59 CSEW 2022/23.
21
Prescription painkillers misuse last year 1.1% of adults 16-59 CSEW 2022/23.
22
Solvents/glue sniffing past year 0.2% mainly young adults CSEW 2022/23.
23
Mephedrone last year use 0.3% steady since 2010s CSEW 2022/23.
24
4-FA or other research chemicals <0.1% but emerging in club scenes UK 2022.
Interpretation
Drug Specific Usage Interpretation
Under drug specific usage, cannabis stays clearly dominant with 2.3 million past year users in 2022/23, while most other drugs are far lower, such as powder cocaine at 4.2% among 16 to 24 year olds in England and Wales and crack cocaine at just 0.3% for 16 to 59s, highlighting a sharp drop off from cannabis to less commonly used substances.
03 · Category
Health Outcomes21 stats
01
In 2022/23, there were 82,190 adults in treatment for drug misuse in England, a 5% increase from prior year.
02
Drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached 4,907 in 2022, mostly opioids at 73%.
03
Overdose deaths involving cocaine rose 30% to 1,466 in 2022 UK-wide.
04
Hospital admissions for drug misuse: 27,756 in England 2021/22, up 4%.
05
19,300 under-25s in drug treatment in England 2022/23, mainly cannabis.
06
Opioid users in treatment: 58% of total adult caseload in England 2022/23.
07
Drug-induced mortality rate 7.5 per 100,000 population in Scotland 2022.
08
NI drug misuse deaths: 118 in 2021, highest on record.
09
36% of dependent drinkers also opiate users in treatment data England 2022/23.
10
Successful treatment completions: 32% for non-opioid drugs vs 16% opioids England 2022/23.
11
Mental health co-morbidity in 62% of drug treatment clients England 2022/23.
12
Hepatitis C prevalence among opioid treatment users ~25% in UK 2021.
13
HIV diagnoses attributed to injecting drug use: 1% but stable in UK 2022.
14
Emergency dept visits for drug poisoning: 24,000 annually England 2021/22.
15
Neonatal abstinence syndrome cases: 1,400 babies affected yearly England.
16
Psychosis hospital admissions linked to cannabis doubled since 2010 to 7,000/year England.
17
1 in 6 crack cocaine users homeless per treatment data England 2022/23.
18
Waiting times for opioid treatment: median 13 days in England 2022/23.
19
75% of drug deaths involved illicit/novel opioids like fentanyl in 2022 ONS.
20
Young people cannabis treatment referrals up 20% post-legalization debates 2022/23.
21
Drug-related liver disease deaths: 1,200 annually UK, often polydrug.
Interpretation
Health Outcomes Interpretation
For Health Outcomes, the most worrying trend is that drug harms are still rising, with drug-related deaths reaching 4,907 in England and Wales in 2022 and overdose deaths involving cocaine climbing 30% to 1,466 UK-wide.
More related reading
04 · Category
Policy And Trends20 stats
01
In 2022/23, Class A drug possession arrests were 56,000 in England/Wales.
02
Drug supply offences: 24,300 arrests in year ending March 2023 England/Wales.
03
Last year drug use prevalence increased 16% from 2021/22 to 2022/23 CSEW.
04
Cocaine powder use up 35% since 2012/13 to highest levels in CSEW history 2022/23.
05
Overall prevalence stable around 8-9% since 2016 but post-COVID rebound.
06
Nitrous oxide criminalized in 2023 after 10% youth use peak in 2019/20.
07
Adults in treatment stable at ~80k since 2015, but opioid fraction rising.
08
Drug seizure value: £3.2 billion in 2022 by UK Border Force.
09
Police drug testing at roadside: 6% positive in pilots 2022 England.
10
County lines operations dismantled 1,200 in 2022/23, arresting 5,500.
11
Fentanyl detections rare but increasing in wastewater analysis UK 2023.
12
Cannabis use steady at ~7% last year since 2000s, despite potency rise.
13
Novel drugs monitored: 50 new substances notified EMCDDA UK 2022.
14
Treatment waiting lists grew 10% in 2022 amid funding pressures.
15
Drug harm index shows cocaine now higher harm than heroin per 2021 study.
16
Youth prevalence down 50% since 2000 peak to 18% in 2022/23.
17
Opiate prescribing down 20% since 2015 amid opioid crisis response.
18
Wastewater cocaine levels up 50% since 2016 in major UK cities.
19
Prison drug testing: 15% positive Class A in 2022 England/Wales.
20
Harm reduction: 45,000 needle exchange packs issued weekly UK.
Interpretation
Policy And Trends Interpretation
Policy responses are being driven by clear shifts in drug behaviour, with Class A drug possession arrests reaching 56,000 in 2022/23 and drug use prevalence rising 16% in 2022/23, while cocaine powder use climbs 35% since 2012/13 to record-high levels in the CSEW and nitrous oxide was criminalized in 2023 after a 10% youth peak in 2019/20.
05 · Category
Prevalence Rates29 stats
01
In 2022/23, 2.7 million adults aged 16-59 in England and Wales had taken an illegal drug in the last year, equating to 8.4% prevalence rate.
02
Lifetime drug use among adults aged 16-59 in England and Wales stood at 50.2% in 2022/23, with over 16 million people having ever tried an illegal drug.
03
In 2022/23, the prevalence of last year drug use among 16-24 year olds in England and Wales was 18.8%, compared to 7.3% for 25-59 year olds.
04
Powder cocaine last year use prevalence was 2.9% among adults 16-59 in England and Wales in 2022/23, the highest since 2008/09.
05
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug in the last year by 6.6% of adults aged 16-59 in England and Wales in 2022/23.
06
In Scotland, 12.5% of adults aged 16+ reported drug use in the past year according to the 2019/20 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey.
07
Northern Ireland's 2019/20 Drug Prevalence Survey indicated 6.4% past year drug use among 15-64 year olds.
08
UK-wide estimates suggest around 3.2 million people aged 16-59 used drugs in the last year as of 2021 data from multiple surveys.
09
Household survey data from CSEW 2021/22 showed 7.8% last year prevalence for any drug use among 16-59s.
10
Poly drug use in the last year affected 2.1% of adults 16-59 in England and Wales in 2022/23.
11
Last month drug use prevalence was 3.5% among 16-59 year olds in England and Wales 2022/23.
12
In 2020/21 CSEW, overall last year drug use dropped to 7.4% due to pandemic restrictions.
13
1.3% of adults 16-59 reported last year use of Class A drugs in England and Wales 2022/23.
14
Frequency of use: 45% of last year cannabis users used on 20+ days in England and Wales 2022/23.
15
Among frequent users, cocaine powder was used on 20+ days by 12% of its last year users in 2022/23 CSEW.
16
Last year ecstasy use prevalence was 1.1% for 16-59s in England and Wales 2022/23.
17
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) last year use was 0.3% among adults 16-59 in 2022/23.
18
In 2018/19, 9.6% of 16-59s in England and Wales reported last year drug use per CSEW.
19
Regional variation: London had 11.2% last year drug use prevalence in 2022/23 CSEW.
20
North East England reported 9.8% last year prevalence in CSEW 2022/23.
21
In 2022, UK drug use prevalence among 16-24s was estimated at 19.8% by ONS integrating surveys.
22
Lifetime prevalence of any illicit drug use among UK adults is approximately 45-50% based on 2020 meta-analysis.
23
Past month use in England 2021 was 4.2% for 16+ population per integrated health survey.
24
CSEW 2019/20 showed 9.4% last year use pre-pandemic.
25
2023 provisional data indicates rising trend back to 8.5% last year use in England/Wales.
26
Among employed adults, 7.2% last year drug use vs 12.1% unemployed in CSEW 2022/23.
27
Students had 15.4% last year drug use prevalence in 2022/23 CSEW data.
28
In rural areas, drug use prevalence was 7.1% vs 9.2% urban in England/Wales 2022/23.
29
0.8% of 16-59s reported last year LSD use in England and Wales 2022/23.
Interpretation
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
Under the Prevalence Rates angle, last year illegal drug use in England and Wales was 8.4% in 2022/23, rising sharply to 18.8% among 16 to 24 year olds compared with 7.3% for 25 to 59 year olds, showing that recent drug use is much more concentrated in younger adults.
report visual · Projection
Drug use prevalence—recent change in the UK
Last year drug use prevalence increased in the most recent CSEW period, reversing earlier pandemic-era declines.
9.4 % prevalence
Start
-2.48%
CAGR · 4y
8.5 % prevalence
Projected
20212025
Reference
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APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Drug Use In The Uk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/drug-use-in-the-uk-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Drug Use In The Uk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/drug-use-in-the-uk-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Drug Use In The Uk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/drug-use-in-the-uk-statistics.
Sources & references
11 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level