Awareness

How Many People in India Are Affected by Addiction and Looking for Rehab Centers?

Written By

Dr. Amar Shinde

Published on: 23 Feb 2026

Addiction is no longer a hidden issue in India. It has gradually become a major health concern that affects millions across different age groups, regions, and socio-economic backgrounds. Keeping an eye on addiction statistics in India helps reveal the scale of the problem and its growing need for structured treatment.

The number of individuals affected by alcohol, opioids and other substances shows concerns. At the same time, the demand for rehab centres in India continues to rise as more people ask for professional help for recovery.

What Do Addiction Statistics in India Reveal?

As per the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s national survey, one of the most comprehensive studies on substance use in India:

• Around 16 crore people (14.6%) in India consume alcohol
• Nearly 3.1 crore people use cannabis
• About 2.06% of the population uses opioids, which is quite higher than the global average
• Around 1.18 crore people misuse sedatives

Most importantly, a large portion of users develop dependency:

• Nearly 5.2% of alcohol users are dependent
• Around 60 lakh people need treatment for opioid use

These figures clearly show that the scale of substance use in India is large compared to the global average.

How Many People Are Addicted in India?

It is a frequently asked question by social groups. When we look beyond the general use and focus on dependency, the numbers remain concerning.

The overall estimates suggest that more than 5.7 crore people in India suffer from substance use disorders

In addition to this:

• Around 7.21 crore people are affected due to drug use
• Approx 6 million individuals need treatment for drug use problems

These numbers answer the key question: how many people are addicted in India? Plus, the data also shows that addiction is not just limited to a small group. It is affecting a large portion of the population.

Why Is Addiction Increasing in India?

Several individuals struggle to deal with addiction. They also face mental health conditions such as depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Due to this, the risk of substance dependence increases. There are several factors that contribute to the rise in addiction:

1. Stress and lifestyle

Factors such as urban lifestyles, work pressure and social habits have increased alcohol consumption and substance use.

2. Easy availability of substances

Substances such as alcohol and prescription drugs are more accessible than before.

3. Mental health challenges

Conditions like anxiety, depression and trauma are responsible for turning individuals toward substance use.

4. Early exposure among youth

Reports show that a significant number of individuals start substance use at a very young age. It increases long-term dependency risk among them. 

What Is the Demand for Rehab Centres in India?

As the addiction rates are getting higher, the demand for rehab centres in India is also increasing.

Government data shows:

• Over 60 lakh people require treatment for opioid use alone
• Millions of alcohol-dependent individuals wants structured care
• There are thousands of cases reported daily in treatment facilities across cities

Despite having huge demand, there is still a large gap in treatment. Many individuals do not receive care due to:

• Lack of awareness
• Social stigma
• Limited access to treatment centres
• Financial constraints

If you’re aware, India currently has hundreds of government-supported rehabilitation centres, but this number is still insufficient compared to demand

How Many People Actually Seek Treatment?

One of the biggest challenges is that only a small percentage of people with addiction seek treatment.

Studies suggest that:

• A large portion of individuals suffering from substance use disorders remain untreated
• Many delay treatment for years
• Awareness and accessibility remain key barriers

This marks the gap between addiction treatment need in India and what actual treatment access looks like. 

What Types of Addiction Require Treatment in India?

Addiction in India is not only limited to one substance. Common categories have:

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is one of the most used substances. Millions of people require alcohol-related treatment programs.

Prescription Drug Misuse

Non-medical use of sedatives and painkillers is increasing.

Drug Addiction

This includes opioids, cannabis, sedatives and synthetic drugs.

Inhalant Use

It affects a huge number of children and adolescents.

Each type of addiction requires different treatment approaches and specialized care. Furthermore, in special cases, addiction is attached to conditions that need bipolar disorder treatment or schizophrenia treatment shows that integrated treatment is important. 

How Do Rehab Centres Address This Growing Need?

Rehabilitation centres play a very critical role in terms of addressing the addiction treatment needs in India.

Treatment typically includes:

• Medical detoxification
• Counselling and psychotherapy
• Behavioural therapy
• Mental health support
• Aftercare and relapse prevention

Treatment also includes therapies based on evidence like motivational enhancement therapy and psychotherapy.

For example, structured programs such as drug rehabilitation centre programs focus on long-term recovery through integrated care.

Similarly, alcohol-specific recovery programs like alcohol rehabilitation treatment helps in the management of withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse.

These services are quite essential to bridge the treatment gap.

Why Is There a Gap Between Need and Treatment?

Awareness is rising but several challenges still exists: 

• Social Stigma

Many people avoid seeking help as they fear judgment.

• Very Limited Infrastructure

The number of rehab centres is still low as compared to the demand.

• Lack of Awareness

Not everyone knows that addiction is a medical condition. Hence they do not seek treatment. 

• Cost and Accessibility

Treatment may not be accessible to all sections of society due to expensiveness.

This gap highlights the importance of expanding treatment services.

How Is the Government Taking Care Of Addiction in India?

The GOI has taken several steps for addressing substance abuse:

• Launched National Drug Dependence Treatment Program
• Focussing on the expansion of treatment centres and outreach programs
• Started awareness campaigns like Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

These initiatives focuses on reducing substance use, increasing awareness and improving access to treatment

However, implementation of these campaigns at ground level and reach still remain one of the key challenges.

When Should Someone Look For Rehab Support?

One should consider professional help if:

• Substance use is affecting their daily life
• Withdrawal symptoms are appearing
• Attempts to quit are failing
• Mental health is worsening
• Relationships or work is getting affected

Early intervention improves recovery outcomes significantly.

Final Thoughts

The data on addiction stats in India reveals that the addiction affects millions of people across the country. The scale of substance use is huge as it’s visible from the use of alcohol and opioids. Hence, the need for treatment is continuously growing. The number of addicts also highlights the urgency of expansion of treatment access. The need of the hour is to improve awareness, infrastructure, and accessibility.

Plus, addressing the addiction treatment need in India requires a combination of efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers and communities. Having the right support systems in place, recovery can become more accessible and effective for those who need it most.

Dr. Amar Shinde

Dr. Amar Shinde, founder of Jagruti Rehab, is a renowned psychiatrist in India with over two decades of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and neuropsychiatry, dedicated to holistic, compassionate patient care.