Addiction in South Asian Communities: We Need to Talk

Addiction in South Asian Communities in the UK

Despite traditionally lower rates of alcohol consumption among South Asians compared to the wider population, there is a rising concern about the prevalence of drug misuse, hidden alcohol dependency, and the widespread cultural stigma that prevents many from seeking support. As a result official health authorities are finding it difficult to gather data and collate it into a representation of the true magnitude of the problem.

A Complex and Hidden Issue

South Asians — particularly those of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian heritage — make up a significant portion of the UK population, especially in towns like Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, and parts of Birmingham, Leicester, and London. While public health data often shows lower rates of alcohol use among these groups, practitioners and community leaders report a very different reality on the ground.

For many South Asians, addiction is not seen as a medical issue but as a moral failure. This deeply entrenched stigma, particularly in Muslim households, discourages individuals from speaking openly or seeking professional help. It creates a culture of silence and shame, where addiction is hidden rather than addressed.

At The Salik Project UK we have personal stories of caring for loved ones suffering from addiction and mental health issues for nearly two decades. During this time we've heard endless stories from people within in the community about scourge of addiction coupled with the lack of acknowledgement due to shame. Vital support is not sought at critical points in the life of an addict and many people have even lost their lives as a result of delayed access to provisions that are readily available.

The Numbers Tell Part of the Story

Recent figures show the scale of the problem in certain areas. In 2025, Rochdale had the third-highest alcohol-specific death rate among non-urban areas in England, with 22.4 deaths per 100,000 people — well above the national average of 14.4. Greater Manchester as a whole has seen alcohol-related deaths rise by 35% in the last decade. Yet, no ethnic breakdown accompanies these figures, masking the extent of the crisis in British South Asian communities.

National data from the Office for National Statistics (2012–2019) reveals that Indian-origin men have higher alcohol-specific death rates than their Pakistani and Bangladeshi counterparts. However, underreporting, hidden use, and cultural barriers likely skew this data. Experts believe the true impact is far greater, particularly as addiction-related deaths often go unrecorded due to shame or misclassification.

Drug Use: A Growing Threat

While alcohol may be culturally taboo in many South Asian communities, drug use — particularly among younger generations — is on the rise. Cannabis, nitrous oxide ("balloons"), and even Class A drugs are commonly used by young British South Asians. Practitioners across Bradford, Rochdale, and East London report widespread cannabis use among teenage and young adult males, often seen as a "lesser sin" compared to alcohol.

These trends are often ignored or minimised within families, and many young people self-medicate due to unaddressed trauma, mental health issues, or social pressures. Nitrous oxide, in particular, is popular due to its short-lived euphoric effects, easy access, and affordability particularly among a younger teenage demographic. However, repeated use can lead to nerve damage, memory loss, and even paralysis. At The Salik Foundation UK, we know of at least one case where an individual from the South Asian community aged just 18 was left in a state of temporary paralysis needing B12 injections to get the body going again. Studies have shown the Asian men are at a higher risk from nitrous oxide than other ethnic groups. Other anecdotes shared with us speak about hallucinations and psychotic episodes.

Trauma and Intergenerational Silence

Sparse studies suggest that one of the key drivers of addiction in South Asian communities is unresolved trauma. Whether it’s childhood abuse, parental loss, or domestic violence, many individuals use substances to cope with emotional pain. Unfortunately, these experiences are rarely discussed openly in South Asian households. The culture of "don’t talk, don’t trust, don’t feel," as described by Dr Karamdeep Kaur, leads to cycles of repression and poor mental health.

The story of Aunee Bhogaita, a British Asian woman who became dependent on alcohol after surviving sexual abuse and domestic violence, exemplifies the link between trauma and substance misuse. Her journey to sobriety — made possible only after she accessed professional, culturally sensitive support — highlights both the depth of the problem and the power of recovery.

Barriers to Treatment

British South Asians are significantly underrepresented in mainstream addiction services. Reasons include:

• Fear of community shame or gossip

• Lack of culturally competent services

• Belief that addiction is a private or religious issue

• Generational and gender barriers to speaking out

  
  

Services that ignore cultural and religious contexts often fail to engage those in need. Community-led programmes like KIKIT in Birmingham and BAC-IN in Nottingham are pioneering faith-sensitive recovery models. They integrate Islamic and culturally grounded values into therapy, outreach, and relapse prevention.

A Call for Action

We cannot tackle addiction in South Asian communities without first breaking the silence. It’s time to:

• Demand better data, including ethnic breakdowns of addiction and death rates

• Create culturally tailored addiction services and outreach programmes

• Partner with mosques, temples, gurdwaras, and local leaders to open up dialogue

• Recognise addiction as a medical condition, not a moral failing

• Cultivate a collectivist/communitarian compassionate response towards the topic of addiction with a campaign of destigmatization

  
  

Addiction doesn’t discriminate — and neither should our approach to recovery. For too long, the pain of addiction has been hidden behind the curtain of shame. The time to bring it into the light is now.