Alcohol Help

A Government report released yesterday reveals more than 800k people are admitted to hospital each year with alcohol-related illnesses and injuries. Leading alcohol treatment group, the Linwood Group, are not surprised by the figure given that one in 13 adults in the UK can be classified as alcoholic. Despite mounting evidence, the Government still ignores the extent of the problem through providing treatment for the disease itself.

Sue Allchurch, Director of the Linwood Group, explains:

"Alcoholism is recognised as a disease in its own right which can be successfully treated. Yet there are less than 1000 hospital beds in the UK - both NHS and private - set aside to treat this disease. If there was a flu endemic on this scale a state of emergency would be called. Alcohol is responsible for more deaths than drugs. The Government needs to invest heavily in treating the root cause of this problem before it spirals out of control".

The new report recognises the increase in the number of hospital admissions through alcohol-fuelled violence but also higher numbers of deaths from drink related illnesses such as liver and heart disease.

However, the report does not take into account road traffic accidents - some 50% of fatal incidents involve drunk driving. Likewise 50% of prisoners are behind bars having committed offences whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. By tackling alcoholism head on through treatment, the Linwood Group believes that much of the UK’s current anti-social behaviour and welfare issues could be eradicated.

Linwood Manor

Silkworth Lodge, St Helier
Silkworth Lodge provides for the treatment and rehabilitation of sufferers alcohol misuse

About us:

Our Aims are To provide residential treatment and rehabilitation programme for those with drug and alcohol problems, to achieve abstinence from all mood altering chemicals and improve quality of life

You will take part in a therapeutic programme specifically designed to meet your needs. Our hope, along with the entire Silkworth staff, is that you take full advantage of your stay here and establish a firm foundation for on-going recovery and a healthy, happy lifestyle.

The following information will provide a basic orientation to the substance misuse treatment programme and your responsibilities as a resident in our facility. Please read this information carefully. If you have any additional questions regarding any aspect of our programme, please do not hesitate to ask.

The road to recovery from your problem constitutes a series of small steps, which are taken on a daily basis. This process begins when you come to Silkworth Lodge. The following guidelines and your response to them are daily measurable signs of you on-going commitment to achieving a useful and contented life without the use of mood altering substances. These guidelines are just part of an overall approach to help you become more responsible for your life, actions and recovery.

We will work together to assist you in your treatment. A positive outcome will only be possible with your full co-operation and commitment.

The intensive holistic programme has proved to be very successful in helping substance misusers to achieve and maintain abstinence, regain self-esteem and develop healthy, contented and fulfilling lifestyles.
The programme is delivered over a period of around 8-12 weeks, dependent upon individual needs

The success of your treatment will depend upon:-

* Your willingness to participate in all aspects of the rehabilitation programme.
* Your willingness to be open and honest about your past behaviours and your readiness to change those behaviours

The treatment is designed and tailored to meet individual needs, which delivers a comprehensive range of group and individual counselling to include:-

* Motivational Therapy
* Relapse Prevention
* 12 Step Recovery
* Education,
* Self-Esteem Building
* Problem Solving
* Social and Recreational Activities
* Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
* Implementing Change
* Self-Support Strategies and Meetings
* Discharge Planning and Care Continuum
* Aftercare Support

Contact Details:

Silkworth Lodge
6 Vauxhall Street
St Helier
Jersey
JE2 4TJ

Telephone: 01534 729060

£2.7 billion: new estimated cost of alcohol to the NHS

Mandatory regulation and labelling could be on the cards for the alcohol industry following a major consultation about England’s drinking culture, launched today by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo.

The Department of Health consultation is published together with independent reviews showing that the drinks industry is not adhering to its own voluntary standards, and new evidence suggesting that alcohol is a far wider cause of damage to people’s health than previously suspected. New calculations released today put the cost of alcohol misuse to society at £17.7 billion to £25.1 billion per year, with a cost to the NHS of £2.7 billion.

The consultation proposals would mean that the current voluntary retailing code could become mandatory. This would mean retailers could have to:

- restrict the way alcohol is sold such as offering drinks in small as well as large glasses or measures - too often only one size is offered or a large is automatically given;

- restrict happy hours or irresponsible price based promotions - women ‘drink for free’ promotions are still all too common;

- display alcohol in off-licence premises in separate areas - no more displays by the checkout;

- give point of sale information eg. on units, allowing customers to make an informed choice; and

- train staff in shops and venues to recognise and refuse alcohol to underage or drunk customers.

Manufacturers will be given until the end of the year to put the required warnings and advice on bottles and cans. If not, Government will move to put a mandatory scheme in place. This would require health and unit information on all drinks containers.

New national hospital admissions data are also published today. They provide a more accurate picture of alcohol-related hospital admissions using new methodology.

Previously, admissions statistics only counted the three most common types of alcohol-related diseases: alcoholic liver disease, alcohol poisoning, and mental and behavioural disorders. The new methodology measures a total of 44 conditions which research shows are caused by or strongly associated with alcohol consumption. The new figures show there were 811,000 admissions in 2006 (accounting for 6 per cent of all admissions) compared with 473,500 in 2002.

Three independent reviews are also published today, which show a lack of adherence to voluntary agreements.

- The KPMG review of alcohol industry standards found that voluntary agreements are not being followed. It also found evidence of poor practice in the way alcohol is promoted.

- Independent monitoring of voluntary labelling agreements show disappointing interim results. Inclusion of unit information was agreed with industry in 1998. Despite this, 43 per cent of products surveyed did not contain unit information at all, and only 3 per cent followed the labelling scheme in its entirety.

- Interim findings from the first stage of the price and promotion review, being carried out by the University of Sheffield, finds clear UK and international evidence linking the sale of cheap alcohol to increased consumption, particularly amongst young people and those already drinking at higher risk levels. This leads to stronger evidence that irresponsible retail practice fuels excess drinking and hence harm to health. The second phase of the review is due to report later this year. When this is complete, the impact of a range of different options for regulating or restricting how alcohol is priced and promoted will be examined

Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, said:

"The evidence from this series of reviews, and the hospital admissions data, clearly make this the right time to consult on a far tougher approach to the alcohol industry.

"The drinks industry has a vital role to play if we are to change the country’s attitudes to alcohol. Some sections of the industry are sticking to the voluntary codes, others are blatantly ignoring them. This consultation will decide whether legally binding regulations for retailers and manufacturers to promote sensible drinking are the way forward.

"Around a quarter of the population drink to a harmful level. These people could be drinking themselves into an early grave - we need the drinks industry to give them the help and information needed to drink at a safer level."

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:

"For social responsibility standards in the alcohol industry to work well they should complement the law on alcohol sales, encourage people to drink more safely and be followed consistently across the country. The KPMG report tells us quite plainly that this is not happening. At best the standards are being applied in fragmented way, at worst in many places alcohol is being sold and marketed irresponsibly.

"We now need a new set of standards and over the next few months we will work intensively with industry representatives and other interested groups to breathe new life into the system. We have also made it quite clear that if necessary we will introduce legislation to make the new standards mandatory."

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern said:

"We very much welcome the findings from the various reports which clearly show a big increase in alcohol-related health harms. The ideas put forward for consultation make eminent sense if the Government is going to achieve a reduction in alcohol-related harms and if it is going to meet its own targets to reduce harmful drinking."

Department of Health

The long standing agreement between the Government and alcohol trade associations - whereby licensees conform to set standards of sales practices through largely voluntary means - is failing to safeguard the public, according to a new report published today by Alcohol Concern.

Unequal partners: A report into the limitations of the alcohol regulatory regime provides a detailed analysis of official data and recent primary research into the way alcohol is sold in England. It criticises “the multi-layered web of laws, voluntary codes and guidelines” that now surround licensed practice for being unclear and unable to deliver the transparency and accountability that is characteristic of effective regulation.

Specifically, the paper says of the voluntary codes governing retailers’ conduct that “licensees ignore the principles set out in the codes as it suits them because there are no meaningful sanctions for those who are found to be in breach”. It finds also that in many cases local authorities are unable to get to grips with problem premises due to a funding shortfall of £200 million arising from the new capped licensing fees brought about by the Act.

Among the comprehensive study’s main findings are:

That although successive Home Office-led test purchasing schemes have revealed the existence of a hard core minority of 10-15% licensed premises continuing to make illegal sales to the under-aged, only 0.5% of licensed premises were called up for a review under the powers granted by the Licensing Act 2003.

43% of managed pubs have no disciplinary procedures in place for staff found to be breaking under-aged sales laws, despite clear recommendations from the leading trade associations for members to adopt them.

In 3 out of the 6 bars that Alcohol Concern staff investigated in Nottingham city centre alone, happy hour deals that encouraged very heavy drinking were being promoted, despite repeated claims from the industry that such deals have been ‘banned’.

Commenting on the report today, Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern said:

“The Drinks Industry’s claim to champion responsible retailing is badly let down by the significant number of premises who persistently sell alcohol at cut prices, refuse to train their staff and allow under-age young people to buy alcohol. Self-regulation has clearly failed and we desperately need mandatory codes and an industry watchdog to stamp out the poor practice and the complacency that is characteristic of many of these venues. Only these measures can safeguard the public and cut down the alcohol-related violence that makes life a misery for so many.”

Commenting on the report today, Prof Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Chair of the Alcohol Heath Alliance said:

“Despite the known harm caused by alcohol, bars and clubs continue to use ways of selling alcohol that even their own industry recognises as bad practice. This report shows that the time has come for the Government to step in to effectively regulate an industry whose own efforts to tackle irresponsible alcohol sales have failed. Too many bars and clubs continue to put profit before their customers’ health.”

Alcohol Concern

SIFA Fireside, Birmingham
Supporting independence from alcohol and tackling homelessness

About us:

What does SIFA Fireside Do?

SIFA Fireside works alongside those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged, addressing alcohol issues and homelessness and empowering and supporting people to meet their short and long term goals. We run a specialist alcohol service as well as offering social support, counselling, and advice and practical help with accommodation.

Worried about your drinking?

We offer a free confidential service to anyone concerned about their drinking, and support people to make changes in their use of alcohol, and where helpful to address any other issues involved. As well as key working and counselling, we can offer Supported Accommodation in one of our two residential houses.

How can people access SIFA Fireside services?

We accept referrals from individuals or third party professionals. Drop in and see us, or phone us on 0121 666 7023 to make an appointment.
Drop-in Centres

We have 2 drop-in centres, which offer food, showers, laundry, food parcels, clothing and household goods. We also have visiting nurses and a chiropodist, basic skills training and computer training. There are daily accommodation advice sessions and afternoon activity groups.

Drop-in Opening Times

Ground Floor, 18-28 Lower Essex St, B5 6SN
Open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 10.45am. Breakfast served. Please turn up before 9.30am if you wish to see a key worker that day. Also open Saturday and Sunday 10.30am - 11.30am for support and advice only.

Fireside, 122 Pershore St, B5 6PA
Drop-in open Monday to Friday 11.15am - 1.00pm. Clothing, showers and activity sessions available between 11.15am and 12 noon. Lunch served between 12 noon and 1.00pm.
Volunteering

Volunteers are an important part of our team; from preparing and serving food in the kitchen to sorting donated goods in the basement, there are a wide variety of activities to get involved in. Most volunteers come in for one session a week, though it’s also possible to come in more or less often. Please get in touch if you’d like to join us as a volunteer.

Contact Details:

SIFA Fireside
18-28 Lower Essex Street
Birmingham
B5 6SN

Telephone: 0121 666 7023

A comprehensive review of television advertising practices by alcohol companies from 2001-2007 finds an increase in youth exposure to alcohol advertising and relatively few industry-sponsored "responsibility" ads. The new study, released today by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at Georgetown University, evaluated advertising trends and identified the best and worst brands with regard to youth exposure to alcohol.

This report shows that more than 40 percent of youth exposure to alcohol advertising came from ads placed on programming with a disproportionate youth (age 12-20) audience — the highest percentage since CAMY began monitoring youth exposure in 2001.

The report data clearly show the 30 percent threshold established by alcohol trade associations in 2003 has not reduced youth exposure to alcohol advertising on television, nor has it reduced the youth overexposure that occurs when advertisements are on programs with disproportionate youth audiences.

"The sad reality for kids and parents is that the alcohol industry’s 30 percent standard is working on broadcast but not cable television," said CAMY executive director David Jernigan. "From 2001 to 2007, the number of alcohol advertisements seen in a year by the average television-watching 12-to-20 year-old has increased which is the opposite of its purpose."

CAMY’s data shows advertisers have made some progress with regard to advertising during shows where more than 30 percent of the viewers were under age 21. The percentage of alcohol product advertisements on these programs went from 11 percent in 2003 to 6.3 percent in 2007.

The study’s other key findings include:

* Almost all youth overexposure to alcohol advertising occurs on cable. Almost two-thirds (63 percent) of the overexposing alcohol ad placements in 2007 were on cable television, which generated 95 percent of youth overexposure to alcohol advertising on television. Of the youth overexposure on cable in 2007, 53 percent came from beer advertising, and 41 percent from distilled spirits advertising.
* In 2006 and 2007, there were no alcohol industry-funded "responsibility" messages about underage drinking on television. Over the entire period of 2001 - 2007, youth ages 12 to 20 were 22 times more likely to see an alcohol product advertisement than an alcohol industry-funded "responsibility" advertisement about drinking-driving, safety or underage drinking.
* Eleven specific brands are responsible for 48.5 percent of the youth exposure to advertising. For this report, researchers developed a methodology to determine the best and worst performers with regard to youth exposure to alcohol advertising. Among brands responsible for much of youth exposure to alcohol advertising and exceeding the 30% youth threshold are:

o Miller Lite
o Corona Extra Beer
o Coors Light
o Hennessy Cognacs
o Guinness Beers
o Samuel Adams Beers
o Bud Light
o Smirnoff Vokdas
o Disaronno Originale Amaretto
o Miller Chill
o Multiple Brands from Mike’s Beverages

Alcohol remains the leading drug problem among young people, and underage drinking is responsible for 5,000 deaths among young people each year. Scientific studies show that youth exposure to alcohol advertising contributes to the likelihood of underage drinking.

The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, the U.S. Surgeon General and 20 state Attorneys General have all recommended eliminating this disproportionate exposure.

In 2003, the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine recommended that alcohol companies move toward a 15 percent threshold for youth audiences, since this is roughly the proportion of youth in the general population. In 2006, Congress passed and President Bush signed into law the Sober Truth On Preventing Underage Drinking Act (or STOP Act) requiring, among other things, that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report annually on rates of exposure of youth to positive and negative messages youth about alcohol in the mass media. Although this reporting has been authorized by Congress, funding for it has not yet been appropriated. "Our findings continue to support the elimination of alcohol advertising on programming with more than 15 percent youth audiences. It will save young people’s lives and the alcohol industry advertising dollars," said Dr. Jernigan.

Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth

With a recent spate of good weather along the South coast, and the holiday season about to get under way, Brixham Coastguard are reminding members of the public looking to enjoy the British coastline this summer that water and alcohol do not mix, using words from our annual campaign; "Don’t drink and drown."

Brixham Coastguard who co-ordinate incidents around some of the UKs most popular beaches and resorts, regularly coordinate incidents at this time of year where alcohol has played a major part, including people jumping from height into shallow water, swimming, surfing or fishing on rocks whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Zoe Boyne, Watch Manager at Brixham Coastguard said:

"7,000 people have drowned in the UK in the last 15 years, and alcohol has said to have contributed to at least 1 in 7 of these deaths. That’s over 60 people a year dying unnecessarily through drinking alcohol and undertaking activities in or around the water.

With the recent good weather over the last few weeks more people are visiting the beach or coastline to enjoy a warm summer’s evening, and whilst we would encourage them to enjoy the beautiful coastline Devon and Cornwall has to offer we would also like to remind them of the dangers of alcohol in this kind of setting.

Swimming or jumping into water might seem like a great idea on a balmy evening, but sea temperatures at this time of year are not the same as countries with warmer climes, and hypothermia can set in as quickly as thirty minutes. Couple this with being under the influence of alcohol and not only does this increase the onset of hypothermia, it will also impair your judgement and impede your coordination, as well as encouraging the kind of risk taking behaviour that can often result in injury or fatality.

Drink and stupidity has played major parts in incidents in Devon and Cornwall already this year which is why we are warning members of the public to remember key safety messages when enjoying the coastline during the summer, and reminding them ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’.

Finally, if you do see anybody in difficulty on the shore line or at sea always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

Maritime And Coastguard Agency

The Greens, Sheffield
The Greens is a residential ‘dry house’ for people over the age of 25 with alcohol related problems.

About us:

The Greens can accommodate up to sixteen people. each service user has their own fully furnished room and shared use of all other facilities. There are several bathrooms, toilets, a shower room and a large kitchen. There is a lounge/dining room and a separate TV lounge with a pool table and access to a computer. There is also an outbuilding, which is used as a ‘quiet room’ for meetings, appointments, key-working and for seeing visitors etc

The Greens operates a no-smoking policy in all communal rooms of the project. Howevr, service users are permitted to smoke in their own rooms and outside the house.

All service users are allocated a named Support Worker. During the key-working sessions and Individual Personal Plan (Support Plan) is completed. This is a joint agreement that identifies the service user’s aims and objectives. the plan is used as a working tool and is reviewed regularly.

Staff will assist service users to access any relevant external service - i.e. additional alcohol/specialised counselling, medical advice/treatment, advice and/or guidance in relation to benefits, housing and legal issues.

Staff will work with the service user with regards to their specific move-on requirements. The Personal Development Worker supports service users in registering with housing providers, bidding for properties, viewing properties and purchasing furniture etc. The Greens allows people to stay for up to two years, SAFAR also has a ‘halfway house’ where service users can be referred to if appropriate.

This enables people to continue to live in a safe and alcohol free environment but with a lesser degree of support and acts as a stepping-stone between supported accommodation and independent living.

What We Can Offer

* Own room
* 24 hour staff cover
* Named Support Worker
* Access to the Personal Development Worker
* Guidance and Support
* Support to develop the skills needed to live independently
* Support to enable the service user to move on when appropriate
* Support to access other services
* Regular service user meetings

Contact Details:

The Greens
40-44 Southey Avenue
Sheffield
S5 7NL

Telephone: 0114 2855244