There is no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis has worsened people’s experience of anxiety, and even triggered anxiety in people who are usually calm and collected. With no clear end in sight, people across the country are panicking about their finances.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to turn to healthy coping mechanisms in these times, and therefore many people have found themselves withdrawing from their loved ones, not sleeping, and using substances as a way to escape the current situation.

61% of people who are drinking more alcohol this year have admitted that the cost-of-living crisis was the main trigger for them (1). They are relying on the temporary high they get from alcohol to carry them through this challenging time, and this often results in addiction.

Very few Brits are immune to the stress caused by the cost-of-living crisis, given that it is affecting so many areas of our lives, i.e., household bills, transport, and food prices (2). Even if you try to keep your spending low, you are inevitably going to take a hit from the rising costs in the UK (3).

However, our infographic looks at who is the most concerned about this crisis. As you will see, the most vulnerable to anxiety are people on a low income, people aged between 30-69, disabled people, people with a dependent child, unemployed people, and people who are divorced or separated, and women (4).

 

 

 

 

 

References

[1] Warning of ‘human catastrophe’ as more turn to drink and drugs to ‘numb stress’ of cost of living https://news.sky.com/story/warning-of-human-catastrophe-as-more-turn-to-drink-and-drugs-to-numb-stress-of-cost-of-living-12739717[2] Cost of living: How do food prices in your shopping basket compare to last year as inflation bites? https://www.itv.com/news/2022-08-17/which-four-items-in-your-shopping-basket-are-hitting-your-wallet-hardest[3]  Read more at alcohol rehab page.[3] Women more vulnerable to cost-of-living crisis, according to new report https://group.legalandgeneral.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/women-more-vulnerable-to-cost-of-living-crisis-according-to-new-report