THE number of people who have contacted a local addiction treatment centre has increased during the cost-of-living crisis, it has been revealed.

Linwood House in Barnsley is a residential rehabilitation facility operated by the UK Addiction Treatment Group and treats people from across South Yorkshire for addictions ranging from drugs and alcohol to gaming, gambling and porn.

Bosses say its admissions helpline is receiving thousands of calls every month as people desperately seek treatment as their problems worsen.

In August, they received 4,684 calls for help which then rose to 4,797 the month after.

It then sky rocketed to 5,219 last month - more than a ten per cent increase in just three months.

The rise in calls is naturally increasing the number of people being admitted into the Yorkshire treatment centre.

Last year, Linwood House Treatment Centre admitted 428 people into treatment, a figure that has already been exceeded this year with two months still to go.

In a visit to the site earlier this year, centre manager Andrew Selwood, who has been in post since May, believed there was a number of reasons for the rapid rise.

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He told the Chronicle: “There’s so many different variants as to why we have seen a rise in admissions.

“Obviously there’s Covid and now restrictions have been lifted people are going out and connecting more with substances like alcohol and drugs.

“There’s many social factors that can be involved with it.

“I think sometimes we’re highlighting it more and people are more aware of anxieties and depression - that’s why we’re seeing an increase.”

Nuno Albuquerque, head of treatment at Linwood House Treatment Centre, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has been attributed as being the biggest trigger for anxiety, stress and trauma - emotions that addiction loves to thrive off.

“Unfortunately, people have always turned to drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms in life, a behaviour that now more than ever will be exacerbated as living conditions for a lot of people become extremely difficult to cope with.

“If you are struggling, please reach out.

“Our fantastic team will guide you in the right direction and get you the best help for you.”