The morning after a celebration often brings more than just a headache. Look in the mirror and you might notice puffiness around your eyes, a dull complexion, or unexpected redness across your cheeks. Whilst lack of sleep plays a role, the alcohol effects on skin are usually the main culprit. Understanding how alcohol damages skin...
Schools across the UK are reporting something alarming. Students need medical attention after vaping in class. In the Netherlands, researchers discovered many teenagers wake up at night specifically to vape. A widely shared image from New Zealand showed a teenager’s blackened, shrivelled lung after just three years of vaping. These stories reveal a troubling reality....
Two groundbreaking studies from the Ministry of Justice have revealed that drug-free prison wings create significantly safer and more stable environments for both prisoners and staff. The research provides compelling evidence that Incentivised Substance Free Living wings work. Dramatic Reduction in Violence and Self-Harm A randomised controlled trial published on 11th December 2025 found that...
Police Scotland pulled off one of its most successful operations in recent memory last month. Officers seized drugs worth nearly £14 million in the week leading up to Christmas. The Scotland drug seizure records represent a landmark period for recoveries across the country. Bellshill Cocaine Haul Tops £8 Million The largest single bust came on...
As the festive season draws to a close, many people find themselves rethinking drinking habits and questioning their relationship with alcohol. Recent data reveals a significant cultural shift, with fewer Americans consuming alcohol and more recognising its health risks. Sobering Statistics The Surgeon General’s report released on 3rd January 2025 delivered stark findings about alcohol’s...
Four people from Wrexham have received recognition in the King’s New Year Honours 2026. Among them is a recovery advocate King’s Honours recipient whose remarkable journey demonstrates the transformative power of overcoming addiction. Marcus Fair: From Addiction to Advocacy Marcus Fair has received an MBE for his work in addiction recovery, tackling homelessness, and supporting...
A comprehensive study published in the European Journal of Public Health has uncovered important connections between alcohol and musculoskeletal pain amongst non-manual workers. The research, conducted by University College London and colleagues, examined over 6,800 British civil servants and retirees aged 50 to 75 years, providing crucial insights into how drinking patterns may affect physical...
The UK government has launched a comprehensive consultation to dramatically expand naloxone access expansion across the country, potentially saving hundreds of lives from opioid overdoses. The 10-week consultation, announced on 29th December 2025, forms part of a record £3.4 billion investment in drug and alcohol services over the next three years. Understanding the Crisis Drug-related...
The year 2025 has brought turbulent times for public health, with alcohol industry interference, political flip-flopping, and significant missed opportunities to reduce harm. Despite some modest progress, the year exposed a continuing reluctance to implement evidence-based measures that could save lives. Many public health advocates felt genuine optimism when the new government took office. Ministers...
Harm Reduction Takes Centre Stage Victoria’s newly unveiled Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025-2035 has emerged quietly, with almost subterfuge amidst growing concerns that critical perspectives may have been excluded from its development. The ten-year blueprint, which positions itself as a comprehensive ‘health-led’ approach to substance misuse, appears to have bypassed formal consultation with prevention...