Essex rehab centre sees "significant increase" in people with a history of drink and drug driving
The county's police force made over a thousand arrests to do with the issue last year
An Essex rehab centre says they have seen a "significant increase" in people coming to their service with a history of drink and drug driving.
Jade Clark, Centre Manager at Sanctuary Lodge in Halstead, says that they help people understand the potential consequences that driving under the influence can have.
She tells us that active addictions can make people lost the "power of choice".
Essex Police recorded 1,874 arrests in 2025 for drug driving, with the Head of Roads Policing calling the issue an "epidemic" on the county's roads.
Jade said that those approaching the rehab centre come in with "a lot of shame and guilt", and that they help them to make healthier and safer choices.
"Part of what we do is we start to reflect on the consequences that come with addiction.
"One of those consequences is drug driving, and the impact that can have on, not just how they're feeling about themselves, but actually on the wider community with how dangerous it is.
"It's more that realisation of the dangers that they're causing by engaging in such activity."