Quote Originally Posted by Doc Alan View Post
We don’t have good information about prevalence of use and harmful effects of many illicit drugs, including MDMA ( ecstasy ), hallucinogenic drugs, inhalants, or non-medical use of benzodiazepines such as “ Valium “ and anabolic steroids, so it’s hard to make judgements about their contribution to disease burden. It does seem that “ recreational use “ of prescription drugs is increasing. What is already beyond doubt, however, are the dangers – to health and society – especially of “ Class A “ ( UK ) drugs. Also, as pointed out out by our forum member waytogo297, who has years of experience as a psychiatric nurse, cannabis use does appear to be the biggest single cause of serious mental disorders in the UK.
I understand that accurate figures aren't necessarily readily available but there is plenty of good anecdotal evidence around and imformative articles on the internet. Also, Dr McPhilipps from the Priory, in the Guardian article above, seems to be a good source of useful information as he and others like him see the addicts coming in for treatment. I have personally heard the same from a similar source in Yorkshire where the abuse of valium is known to lead to addiction as described in the Guardian newspaper. It isnt just heroin and crack cocaine that causes all of the problems. And the experts also tell us that the heroin "substitute", methadone, is also a highly addictive substance that has nasty withdrawal effects. Again, methadone is a prescribed substance that is often abused. There is a Mr Hepburn in the Alexander clinic Aberdeenshire that is a expert in the subject of methadone.

I guess the information is there but is possibly not being collated / gathered / analysed.

Looking at his website:

"Patients of The Alexander Clinic include company directors, dentists, doctors, ex-pats, farm workers, housewives, office workers, oil workers, refuse collectors, retired people, road sweepers and teachers - to name only some of those who come to us."