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United Kingdom

A collection of resources discussing addiction, mental health, and social justice and civil rights in the United Kingdom.

What Makes Ecstasy So Dangerous? (VICE: High Society)

British people take more MDMA per session than anywhere else, averaging 420 milligrams—twice as much as Germans. While ecstasy remains one of the safest drugs, ecstasy-related deaths hit a decade-high last year, bringing it back into the spotlight. Some blame drug dealers for selling dangerously strong, adulterated pills, while others criticize the government for failing to curb the supply and adopt effective harm reduction strategies. It’s also possible that British drug users need reminding that a great night out isn’t measured by how much of your tongue remains. In this episode of High Society, they explore why ecstasy is becoming more dangerous and how its risks can be minimized.

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The Ketamine Time Bomb (VICE: High Society)

Ketamine has emerged as a defining drug for a generation of young Brits. A report from November 2020 revealed that 1-in-30 young people had used ketamine in the past year — the highest rate ever recorded and significantly higher than in other European countries. Current data ranks ketamine as the fourth most commonly used drug among young people, following cannabis, ecstasy, and cocaine.

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Adrian Chiles – Drinkers Like Me

In this intimate BBC2 documentary, Adrian Chiles takes a hard look at his relationship with alcohol. He wants to understand why he and many others don’t see themselves as addicted, even though they struggle to enjoy life without drinking. Adrian, who drinks nearly every day, starts a diary and quickly realizes his intake is well above the recommended limit. Hoping to understand the roots of his habit, he visits his parents and reflects on how underage pub visits were more about friendship and belonging—a social draw that’s stayed with him since his teens.

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Drinking for England BBC2

This BBC2 documentary explores Britain’s drinking culture in the 1990s and the deep-rooted connection many Brits have with alcohol. It follows the lives of heavy drinkers who express their often tragic—yet occasionally humorous—experiences through poetry and song. Among them are a man who consumes at least ten pints of beer each night, a fashion model who drinks until she passes out, and a woman undergoing detox in a private clinic.

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Alcohol at Home – Britain’s Secret Drinkers

It is commonly believed that binge drinking culture in Britain is their most serious drinking problem. However, experts in this short video, featured on the BBC programme ‘Tonight’, discuss a different concern – at home drinkers. According to a study discussed in the video, more and more people are regularly drinking alcohol at home, sometimes every night of the week. For some, it’s seen as a reward after a long day at work, and for others, it’s a way of relaxing. Unfortunately, many people appear unaware of the consequences of such behaviour.

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UK Drinking Culture: A Royal Hangover

This documentary provides insight into the United Kingdom’s reliance on alcohol and the history of their binge drinking culture. In comparison to other countries, binge drinking is more socially acceptable in the UK. Unfortunately, they spend about 21 billion pounds every year because of this problem, with about 1.6 million people being dependent on alcohol. Russell Brand used to be one of them and you’ll hear his speech on this topic, including his own experiences with substance abuse.

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UK Drinking Culture: Britain’s Drink Problem

Adrian Chiles wants to “know why this multi-billion pound industry [Britain’s alcohol producers] is allowed to regulate itself – make up its own rules.” He discusses with others, both professionals and average people, the profound impact that alcohol is having on the country. This includes the rising number of alcoholics needing a liver transplant, the community’s confusion around ‘a standard drink’, and the hard-to-read designs that the alcohol industry uses for their warning labels.

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Brought Up By Booze: Calum Best & Healing as a Child of an Alcoholic

Calum Best looking out the window (Brought Up By Booze George Best Documentary)

Calum Best, the son of football legend George Best, is not only known for his father’s footballing greatness but also for growing up as the child of an alcoholic. In this raw and emotional BBC Children in Need special, Brought…

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