The number of people seeking help for “hippy crack” addiction has rocketed by 234 percent in the first three months of the year. And experts say the figures for those looking to wean themselves off nitrous oxide – the most commonly used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds after cannabis – are just a taste of what is to come.
Data compiled by specialists at the UK Addiction Treatment Group show between January 1 and March 29, 760 people visited their help page. This compares to just 227 people this time last year.
Of those seeking help, 60 per cent were women, with the majority of traffic coming from London, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
UKAT’s rehab admissions team have also taken more calls in just three months than the whole of last year – 90 percent from men with an average age of 23.
Nuno Albuquerque, head of treatment for at UKAT, said: “Our concern is the effect it has on the physical development of a young person. Nitrous oxide can cause neurotoxicity and is shown to “induce cell death in neurons after prolonged exposure.
“This is especially dangerous for still-developing brains in those under the age of 24 – those that are using this drug the most – and can sadly have lasting effects on cognitive function.
“The rise in people looking for help is just the beginning. We fully expect to start admitting people into treatment programmes later this year.”
There has been a spike in hospital admissions caused by the substance, with acute exposure to the gas leading to anaemia and nerve damage. It has also been linked to fertility issues.
Dr David Nicholl, clinical lead for neurology at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: “I think it’s wrong to call it laughing gas because that makes it seem like it’s a joke.”
The figures come just days after the Government announced plans to ban laughing gas as part of an anti-social behaviour crackdown.
Last week Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “I think anyone who has the opportunity to walk through our parks in our major cities will have seen these little silver canisters.
“They are examples of people not only spoiling public spaces but taking a drug which can have a psychological and neurological effect and one that contributes to anti-social behaviour overall.”
