One in 100 Scots are addicted to opioids, study finds

An estimated one in 100 Scots are addicted to opioids, according to Scotland’s public health watchdog.

The number of people with opioid dependence in Scotland is thought to be 43,400.

This represents 1.23% of 15- to 64-year-olds.

Opioids are a group of pain-relieving medications like morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl that are highly addictive.

Dependence is slightly higher in Ayrshire and Arran and in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde regions with around 1.6 in 100 people dependent on opioids.

The Public Health Scotland (PHS) findings show that men are more vulnerable to dependence than women, and people aged 35 to 49 years have the highest rate of substance abuse with 2.32% of people in this age group dependent heroin and other substances.

According to PHS, opioid dependence is high in Scotland compared to many other countries – including in England where the prevalence is 0.8%.

“There is a clear indication that the prevalence of opioid dependence is higher in Scotland than in other comparable countries,” the report said.

However, PHS said the number of people in Scotland with opioid dependence has “remained stable” at approximately one in 100 Scots since 2014.

“There is no evidence of an increase in the population of people who are opioid dependent, suggesting that observed increases in the number of drug-related deaths were due to the increased mortality risk experienced by people who use opioids, with some additional contribution from increased mortality risk associated with the population ageing,” the report said.

Previous data has shown “a clear reduction” in the number of people with opioid dependence among 15 to 34-year-olds and an increase in 50 to 64-year-olds between 2014/15 and 2019/20.

According to PHS, these trends have continued through to 2022/23.

Responding to the figures, health secretary Neil Gray said: “These findings underline that opioid dependence remains a key challenge in Scotland, though we are aware from Radar reports and other surveillance measures that the landscape is changing.

“Evidence shows that opioid substitution therapy (OST) is effective in achieving positive outcomes and this report estimates that in 2022-23 almost two-thirds of people with opioid dependence had received OST treatment during the year.

“This compares well to many sites globally.

“We will continue support this through our implementation of the medication assisted treatment standards.

“Through our national mission on drugs, we’re taking a wide range of evidence-based actions, including supporting the opening of the UK’s first, safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards a drug-checking pilot and widening access to life-saving naloxone, treatment and residential rehabilitation.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said thousands of Scots were still “counting the hours from one hit to the next”, adding: “While the reduction in opioid dependency among younger people is welcome, the aging profile of opioid addicts is a reminder of the decades wasted if there is no pathway to recovery.

“The SNP Government must ensure that anyone who tries to quit this dangerous drug has the support they need.”