Nearly Every Second Person in the Czech Republic Affected by Addiction Risks

Addiction and risky consumption behaviour continue to affect a large proportion of the population in the Czech Republic. The Summary Report on Addictions in the Czech Republic 2025 shows that nearly half of the population is at an elevated risk of developing an addiction.

The latest report by the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction (NMS) analyses the current situation as well as long-term developments in the consumption of tobacco and nicotine products, alcohol, psychoactive medications, illegal drugs, gambling and digital media.

According to the report (CZ), around 16 to 17 per cent of the population aged 15 and over smoke daily, which corresponds to approximately 1.5 million people. Between 13 and 17 per cent of adults consume alcohol at levels that pose health risks. This affects an estimated 1.3 to 1.6 million people. A further 650,000 to one million individuals show signs of the misuse of psychoactive medications.

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The number of people engaged in the risky use of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine or opioids is estimated at up to 49,000. Problem gambling affects around two to three per cent of the population, equivalent to approximately 180,000 to 275,000 people. In addition, experts estimate that up to 450,000 adults are at risk of developing digital addictions.

“The estimated number of people at risk of developing and progressing addictions has remained largely unchanged in the Czech Republic for many years,” said Pavla Chomynová, head of the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction.

Around 100,000 People Seek Professional Support Each Year

The health consequences are significant. Estimates suggest that between 16,000 and 18,000 people die each year as a result of smoking. A further 6,000 to 7,000 deaths are linked to alcohol consumption. Around 1,000 people die annually as a consequence of the problematic use of psychoactive medications or illegal drugs.

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In addition to the health impacts, the report highlights social consequences such as the loss of housing, unemployment, financial difficulties, and strain on families and personal relationships. Around 100,000 people seek professional help each year due to addiction or addiction-related behaviours.

Particularly notable is the growing number of people who use multiple addictive substances at the same time. Demand for treatment related to alcohol and medication dependence is also continuing to rise. At the same time, the authors of the report warn of insufficient capacity in counselling and treatment facilities. The high demand is leading to long waiting times for treatment in many areas.

However, compared with other European countries, the Czech Republic continues to perform relatively well in several indicators. The number of drug-related infections and fatal overdoses remains at a comparatively low level.

The report also contains several recommendations for future addiction policy. These include expanding support services in all regions of the country, improving care for people with co-occurring mental health conditions, and implementing measures to further enhance the quality of addiction treatment services.