The Rising Concern of Festive Drug Abuse in the UK

In the UK, drug use increases during the festive period, and cocaine use in particular rises due to its availability, social acceptability in certain circles, and the cultural norms that surround end-of-year celebrations.

While this season is marketed as joyful and connected, it is also one of the most emotionally and psychologically demanding times of the year.

Here, Ryan Erispe, Head of Clinical Department at The Cabin Rehab, Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Thailand, looks at how understanding why cocaine use escalates in December requires looking beyond individual behaviour and into the social, psychological, and relational pressures that shape coping with the festive season.

Cocaine use in the UK

Within the UK, the slang phrase ‘White Christmas’ has become increasingly common. It reflects not only the ubiquity of cocaine but the extent to which its use has been woven into the fabric of festive nightlife and socialising.

National indicators reinforce this picture. The UK remains one of the highest per-capita consumers of cocaine in Europe, and this shows up across survey data, policing activity, treatment systems, and mortality statistics.

Key Statistics

A recent police crackdown between 1 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 found that 42.2% of drug-wipe tests on drivers were positive, with cocaine among the most frequently detected illicit substances.

The treatment system tells a similar story. In 2023–2024, 45,389 adults receiving substance-misuse treatment in England and Wales reported cocaine as a problem substance, reflecting both the scale of its use and the degree to which it has become intertwined with broader patterns of distress and addiction.

Historically, the number of people entering treatment for primary cocaine problems has risen, signalling a growing recognition of harm and, for some, an escalation from recreational use into dependence.

These patterns are mirrored in the rise of severe harms. In 2024, England and Wales recorded 1,278 drug-poisoning deaths involving cocaine, signifying a continuing upward trend each year. This trend is not only seasonal but structural, revealing deeper societal stressors, unmet emotional needs, and barriers to mental health support.

Pain underneath the substance

Despite cultural narratives that frame festive drug use as harmless fun, the reality is that this season can be profoundly painful for many people. The increase in cocaine use is rarely just about celebration.

Substance use is one of the most common coping strategies for overwhelming emotional states, and the festive period can magnify both joy and distress. The pressure to feel connected, to appear successful, to mask loneliness, or to maintain family harmony can intensify internal struggles that may be easier to avoid during other times of the year.

The time of year magnifies all emotions, both positive and negative. People often reach December carrying the accumulated weight of the year: work pressure, personal stress, unresolved conflicts, losses, and unprocessed emotional experiences. Cocaine can become an attempt to regulate what feels unmanageable.

Connection and the human need to belong

Underlying much festive substance use is a fundamental human need: connection. People reach for cocaine, alcohol, or other substances not just for stimulation, but to feel present, confident, or “in the group” when social or emotional bonds feel tenuous. The festive period intensifies this need; family gatherings, work events, and parties highlight both closeness and distance, inclusion and isolation.

When authentic connection feels out of reach, substances can act as a temporary bridge, lowering social anxiety, masking loneliness, or creating the illusion of warmth and acceptance.

This coping mechanism is understandable, even predictable, but it comes at a cost. Recognising the drive for connection shifts the conversation: it’s not just about “using too much,” it’s about a deep, universal need to be seen, heard, and safe within the community.

Supporting people through the holidays, whether they’re in recovery, using substances, or simply isolated, requires more than warnings or rules; it requires building opportunities for genuine connection, conversation, and shared understanding.

End-of-year fatigue and burnout

By December, many individuals are physically and emotionally depleted. Long work cycles, financial pressures, reduced rest, and the general pace of life contribute to lowered resilience and narrower coping windows.

Fatigue affects self-regulation, decision-making, and impulse control. For some, stimulants become a way to push through social expectations and responsibilities. Cocaine may be used as a temporary energy top-up, offering alertness and perceived productivity in moments when the body and mind are signalling a need for rest.

Relationship triggers

The festive period brings people into closer contact with family, partners, and social networks, which can stir unresolved wounds. Old family dynamics, relationship tensions, breakups, or feelings of loneliness often intensify at the end of the year.

For many, these emotional triggers are powerful. Cocaine, like many substances, can function as a coping tool to suppress anxiety, avoid uncomfortable relational dynamics, or create temporary emotional distance from pain.

Social comparison and identity pressures

Holiday gatherings can also heighten feelings of inadequacy or shame. In a culture that emphasises curated images of success and happiness, people may feel pressure to present well, appear confident, and keep up with social expectations.

Cocaine is sometimes used to enhance sociability, increase perceived confidence, or numb emotional discomfort in social settings. The link between self-presentation and stimulant use reflects how deeply identity and belonging can influence behaviour.

Increased co-use with alcohol

Alcohol remains one of the most widely used substances during the festive period, and heavy drinking significantly increases the likelihood of stimulant use. The disinhibition that accompanies alcohol lowers the threshold for risk-taking, including trying or escalating cocaine use.

Cocaine also counteracts alcohol’s sedating effects, creating one of the strongest behavioural pairings seen across substance-use patterns. This co-use increases physical risk, intensifies psychological distress, and contributes to the broader rise in harms seen during this period.

Ryan comments: “Understanding the rise in cocaine use during the festive season requires moving beyond simplistic narratives of choice or pleasure. Substance use does not occur in a vacuum.

It is shaped by emotional pain, social pressure, relationship dynamics, economic stress, and the deep human desire to feel connected or relieved from suffering. The treatment and mortality data reinforce what frontline clinicians see daily: people don’t seek cocaine; they seek relief and connection.

Approaching this topic with compassion and clarity is essential in reducing stigma and supporting people in making safer, more informed decisions.

Ultimately, the conversation must shift from judgment to understanding, from isolation to support, and from cultural normalization to trauma-informed awareness. Creating genuine opportunities for connection through family, peers, community, or professional support can reduce reliance on substances as a substitute for belonging and strengthen resilience for the season and beyond.”