Up to 12 million people are being prescribed potentially addictive drugs, a study found.
Public Health England found one-in-four adults is being prescribed either painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety pills or antidepressants.
Half of those being given these classes of drugs, which are known to cause dependency, were taking them for at least 12 months.
Women were one-and-a-half times more likely to be on them – with over-75s most common.
One-in-six adults, or 7.3 million people, were on antidepressants at some point in the past year – a million of these for at least three years. Patients can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking them, including suicidal thoughts.
Rosanna O’Connor, of PHE, said: “This is a wake-up call and we are expecting a step-change in the way the NHS looks at these drugs.
“We are particularly looking at those who have been on these drugs for a long time, as we know it’s difficult for people to stop using them.
“The thing that’s most worrying for us is the prescribing beyond the guidelines... where longer-term use is ineffective and we know they are highly addictive.”
The review of prescription medication was ordered by the Government over fears of a US-style opioid epidemic, which has killed thousands.
PHE analysis showed 11.5 million adults in England (26%) had been prescribed at least one of five classes of drugs at some point in 2017/18.
The review found 5.6 million had used opioids, with 540,000 taking them for at least 12 months.
Guidelines state they should only be used for a short period.
But use of the drugs can be appropriate and Prof Paul Cosford, of PHE, added: “Antidepressants are life-saving medicines... to be used in the long term for some people.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday: “This review is a wake-up call and we have already taken steps to address this issue.”
