Alcohol Help

The Drinkaware Trust (Drinkaware), the UK charity which aims to reduce alcohol harm, is encouraging the UK population to have their say on alcohol culture.

Entitled ‘Young People and Alcohol: What’s the Attraction?’ Drinkaware is using quick polls asking questions such as ‘Is getting drunk a right of passage?’ and ‘Should parents educate about alcohol?’ Everyone is invited to have their say.

England’s Chief Medical Officer recently advised that children aged under 15 should never be given alcohol and that 15 to 17 year olds should only consume alcohol with the guidance of a parent or carer. But what are the issues that trigger a young person to drink? From stress to peer pressure, celebrity to advertising, this comprehensive investigation will provide a snapshot of the UK today.

The polls feature on a Drinkaware microsite and will be publicised in The Guardian’s Family and Society print supplements and banner adverts on Drinkaware.co.uk and guardian.co.uk. Findings will be written up in SocietyGuardian and debated by a high profile panel convened to discuss what can be done to ensure the UK alcohol culture is a healthy one.

Drinkaware’s CEO, Chris Sorek said: “Alcohol is part of our national culture but according to the latest government figures, 360,000 11-15 year olds get drunk every week, putting themselves at risk of harm to the liver, depression and damage to the developing brain, as well as longer term problem drinking.

“There are also strong links between drinking high levels of alcohol and youth offending, teenage pregnancy, truancy and exclusion from school.”

He added: “By gleaning keys insights from public opinion, Drinkaware aims to discover what motivates young people to start drinking, binge drink, and what parents, professionals and young people can do to address and challenge those motivations. Now’s the time for the UK to have its say on this critical issue.”

The polls form part of Drinkaware’s public education programme which aims to change British drinking culture by engaging consumers with impactful information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles.

Drinkaware

A 20-year old, fighting her alcoholism, is backing a Government drive to provide clear messages for parent and teenagers on the health effects and risks of young people drinking alcohol.

A five-point guidance document was launched last month in response to calls from parents for clear messages on the health effects and risks of young people drinking alcohol. This guidance is now under a 12-week consultation calling upon parents, young people and carers to give their views online at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations

Nikki, from Stone in Staffordshire, has been an alcoholic since she was 10 years old and started drinking to cope with an inability to talk about the personal difficulties and pressures of life.

She has around 14 criminal convictions mainly for drink-related offences, has been on tag, sent to prison and ASBO proceedings were considered against her. Currently she is half way through a two-year supervision order.

PC Andy Whitehall was the Beat Officer for Stone in Staffordshire when he first met Nikki, in August 2005, while arresting her for drinking in an alcohol prohibition area, refusing to surrender her alcohol and then assaulting him, as the arresting officer. In February 2008 Nikki arrived at the Police station in Stone very upset and crying. She had seen her doctor and been told she had Chronic Pancreatitis as a result of her drinking and that she would die if she didn’t stop drinking. She wanted something to do to keep her off the drink and felt that the police were the only people to whom she could turn for help.

Andy Whitehall was fairly dismissive and disbelieving that Nikki was really committed to trying to do something about her alcoholism and half-jokingly told her to come to see him the following Sunday at ‘The Right Stuff’ – the amateur police boxing club that he runs as part of his work with the Staffordshire Youth Offending prevention team.

To his great surprise Nikki did turn up and brought her younger sister and a friend, for good measure. Since that time Nikki has trained on average three times a week at the boxing club, she managed eight months free of alcohol through boxing, lost quite a lot of weight, gained a good level of fitness and acquired a measure of self-esteem. Although she has in the last three months had one or two episodes where she has had a drink, she has not relapsed into her old ways, has not been in any further trouble with the courts or the police and it is hoped that the court will soon withdraw her supervision order as a result of her good behaviour.

‘The Right Stuff’ is not a conventional boxing club as membership is free to all ages provided that they engage in community projects, agree to good behaviour and try to improve their health and well-being including tackling any substance or alcohol abuse issues. The club has around 50 members and the youngest is six years old. Community projects undertaken by members including Nikki, in the past 12 months, include gardening for more than 20 elderly local residents, four inter-generational community litter picks, tree planting, delivering food parcels to vulnerable elderly residents and youth engagement displays such attend the boxing club.

The club’s 2008 Member of the Year award went to Nikki Sims and she is (on 27th February) to be given a special award by Stafford Borough Council for the efforts she has made in turning her life around.

Nikki used to be the scourge of retailers in the town centre with her street drinking, one wine bar proprietor ( Mr Custodio Pinto of ‘The Lounge’ in Stone ) used to dread her and friends sitting on the bench next to his property and the verbal abuse he would get from them. He went to look at the boxing club and was so impressed by the change it was bringing about in young members that he sponsored the club for tracksuits. The Lounge is now the club’s unofficial base for community project refreshments and Nikki is a welcome regular with other club members for coffee.

Nikki has shown tremendous determination to improve her life in the last 12 months and even continued to train using only her left hand when she broke her right hand while sparring.

Alcoholism is a life long fight, but this is one young lady who having considered the prospect of her life ending prematurely has decided to put the gloves on and take up that fight practically, physically and psychologically; in her own words: "You don’t know how hard it is, how much I want it, but I don’t want to go back".

Pc Whitehall, adds: "Nikki has done tremendously well in her fight with alcoholism, she is an inspiration to all the young people at the club. I would say to any one else in Nikki’s position don’t lose hope and it’s never too late to seek help."

The harsh reality is that by the age of 15 many young people will have already consumed alcohol, often drinking weekly. Statistics show that: 16% of 11 – 14 year olds across the region said, in an Ofsted survey, they have been drunk once or twice in their lives. Figures vary little across the West Midlands’ counties participating in the survey, with Shropshire highest at 19%, Staffordshire at 17%, while Birmingham records the lowest figure of 14%. (source: Ofsted Tell Us3 survey 2008).

In Staffordshire alone, over 100 under-18s are admitted to hospital each year due to alcohol-specific conditions.

The Chief Medical Officer’s 5-point Guidance on the Consumption of Alcohol by Children and Young People advises:

1. Children and their parents and carers are advised that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option. However, if children drink alcohol, it should not be until at least the age of 15 years.

2. If young people aged 15 to 17 years consume alcohol, it should always be with the guidance of a parent or carer or in a supervised environment.

3. Parents and young people should be aware that drinking, even at age 15 or older, can be hazardous to health and that not drinking is the healthiest option for young people. If 15 to 17 year olds do consume alcohol they should do so infrequently and certainly on no more than one day a week. Young people aged 15 to 17 years should never exceed recommended adult daily limits and on days when they drink, consumption should usually be below such levels.

4. The importance of parental influences on children’s alcohol use should be communicated to parents, carers and professionals. Parents and carers require advice on how to respond to alcohol use and misuse by children.

5. Support services must be available for children and young people who have alcohol related problems and their parents

Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer for England, led the development of the guidance, following extensive research and work with a panel of experts who reviewed the latest available medical evidence and data from across the UK on the impact of alcohol and young people.

He said: "This guidance aims to support parents, give them the confidence to set boundaries and to help them engage with young people about drinking and risks associated with it.

"More than 10,000 children end up in hospital every year due to drinking and research tells us that 15 per cent of young people think it is normal to get drunk at least once a week. They are putting themselves at risk of liver damage, depression and problems with brain development and memory. Resulting social issues can lead to children doing less well at school and struggling to interact with friends and family."

"The more information available to parents and young people about the harms and effects of drinking alcohol in childhood, the better chance we have of protecting the youth of today and tomorrow."

Department for Children, Schools and Families

A drug prescribed for male and female infertility and menstrual disorders could hold the key to a more effective treatment for alcoholism, according to a study by researchers at the UCSF-affiliated Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center.

The study showed that “alcoholic” rodents, when injected with the drug cabergoline, decreased their alcohol consumption and alcohol-seeking behavior and were less likely to relapse.

Cabergoline, which is marketed under the trade name Dostinex, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration in pill form to treat conditions caused by excess of the hormone prolactin.

The study, led by Dorit Ron, PhD, a principal investigator at the Gallo Center and associate professor of neurology at UCSF, is now on line (February 20, 2009), in the journal “Biological Psychiatry.”

Notably, cabergoline did not impact the rats’ consumption of sucrose and, in a subgroup of binge-drinking mice, the drug did not appear to significantly affect intake of water or saccharin.

“This is encouraging,” says Ron, “because it demonstrates that cabergoline is specific for alcohol, but does not affect general reward or pleasure. One of the problems with some existing drugs to treat alcoholism is a side effect that decreases pleasure, making compliance an obstacle to sobriety.”

The research builds on an earlier, provocative finding by Ron and her colleagues regarding the protein GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor), which they had injected into rats’ VTA (ventral tegmental area) brain region, associated with drug-seeking behavior.

In this earlier study, the scientists had trained rats to consume alcohol. Some, like humans, drank in moderation, while others binged. But when GDNF was administered, both heavy and light drinkers lost at least some of their craving for alcohol. This effect became apparent within 10 minutes and lasted at least 24 hours, the scientists discovered. Importantly, administration of GDNF into the brain prevented the rats from relapsing after a period of abstinence.

While the discovery broke new ground, the scientists knew that GDNF could not be used to treat alcoholic humans because its molecule is too large to cross the blood-brain barrier. So, in the present study, Ron and her colleagues looked at cabergoline, a compound that has been shown in cells to increase the expression of GDNF.

After establishing that cabergoline treatment resulted in an increase of the level of GDNF and activation of the GDNF pathway in the rats’ VTA, the researchers sought to test its impact on rodents’ drinking habits.

Rats underwent a two-month training program in which they learned to press a lever to obtain alcohol. Researchers found that when rats were injected with cabergoline, they were less likely to press the lever. The higher the dose of cabergoline, the lower the number of lever presses reported. The researchers also found that binge-drinking mice consumed less alcohol after cabergoline administration.

In further study, the researchers found that cabergoline was effective in reducing both craving for alcohol and relapse to drinking. Relapse is a critical issue for alcoholic patients trying to stay abstinent.

As further evidence of the interplay between cabergoline and GDNF, alcohol intake was tested on mice that had been genetically engineered to have a single copy of the GDNF gene, and therefore less GDNF in the brain. As expected, the scientists found that the drinking habits of these genetically modified mice were not affected by cabergoline.

Although the results of the study offer fresh hope to problem drinkers, Ron cautions that human clinical trials are needed before cabergoline can be safely prescribed. Higher doses of cabergoline have been used to treat Parkinson’s disease and have been linked to heart valve problems.

“However,” notes Ron, “we show that in mice and rats, a low dose of the drug is enough to reduce excessive alcohol consumption, alcohol seeking and relapse. The dose is similar to what is given to humans for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia.”

Cabergoline may eventually be prescribed for other addictions. A pilot study conducted on cocaine addicts, cited in Ron’s paper, reported a substantial reduction in cocaine use.

In the United States, 17.6 million people—approximately one in every 12 adults—abuses alcohol or is alcohol-dependent, according to the National Institutes of Health. But there are just three medications approved to treat alcohol dependence—disulfiram (Antabuse), naltrexone (Depade, ReVia), and acamprosate (Campral).

Lead author of the study is Sebastien Carnicella, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at the Gallo Center. Co-authors are Dao-Yao He, PhD, senior research scientist; Patricia Janak, PhD, associate professor of neurology at UCSF; Selena Bartlett, PhD, director of the center’s preclinical development group; Carsten Nielsen, PhD, associate research scientist; and Somayeh Ahmadiantehrani, graduate student.

Research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the State of California for medical research on alcohol and substance abuse through UCSF.

The Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at UCSF is one of the world’s preeminent academic centers for the study of the biological basis of alcohol and substance use disorders. It is the only center studying alcoholism in the United States that is based in a department of neurology. Gallo Center discoveries of potential molecular targets for the development of therapeutic medications are extended through preclinical and proof-of-concept clinical studies.

UCSF is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions and excellence in patient care.

University of California

Choose Responsibility, founded in 2006 by former Middlebury College President John McCardell, was featured prominently in Sunday evening’s edition of 60 Minutes. The non-profit has gained significant traction in its efforts to address the pressing issue of alcohol abuse by young people.

Statement by John McCardell, president of Choose Responsibility: "Choose Responsibility commends 60 Minutes for taking a serious look at the growing underground drinking problem permeating our country, and underscoring the need for a broad national debate. We need to make it as ‘uncool’ to binge drink as it has become to drink and drive.

"Binge drinking is as serious an alcohol related problem today as drunk driving was two decades ago. The harmful, destructive and sometimes fatal consequences suffered as a result of this practice are crying out for more attention."

"Not only are young people drinking illegally, they are doing so recklessly and dangerously. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, underage drinking contributes to 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault among college students a year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that approximately one in six teenagers have drunk so much that they blacked out and couldn’t remember what happened the night before. The results of this behavior are life threatening: More than 60% of the lives lost to alcohol are lost off the highways — over 3,000 per year. Certainly these lives are no less precious than those that occur as a result of drunk driving crashes, and the families of these young people grieve no less as a result of their tragic deaths."

"Irresponsible drinking behavior is a serious problem that needs a serious solution. Our current approach and laws are not solving the binge drinking problem, and enforcement alone is not the solution."

Choose Responsibility

Alcoholism is a common battle fought by many individuals behind closed doors. Some feel as if they are left alone to fight the battle. Cliffside Malibu Alcohol Rehabilitation center reaches out and provides a treatment program catered to the individual and not the disease.

At some point in time, everyone feels as if their life is spiraling out of control. In that split second moment, each person scrambles for that person or place that will help get them back on their feet and face life again. Cliffside Malibu alcohol rehab program provides that helping hand for alcoholics to reduce a dependency on alcohol and make a fresh start.

Research indicates that approximately 50% of driving accidents are caused by a drunk driver behind the wheel. Some of those impaired drivers will need a car accident to wake up and realize that they have a problem. Others may turn up their nose at the mere thought of someone getting behind the wheel of a car after having too much to drink needing an accident as a wake up call. For the Cliffside Malibu alcohol rehabilitation center, this situation is seen as a cry for help.

Staff at Cliffside Malibu maintains a professional approach to assisting alcoholics with treatment. There is no judgment or disapproving stares in this drug detox program. Personnel are technically equipped with the best tools needed to help an alcoholic pinpoint the root of the problem and make that all important first step towards recovery.

Cliffside Malibu is a full service treatment program providing alcoholics with a safe place to engage in drug detox to reclaim their lives. Before entering into a rehabilitation program, there are several things that need to be considered to ensure a person obtains everything out of the treatment program. First and foremost a patient must be willing to admit that there is a problem and open to seeking a solution for that addictive problem. Alcoholism is just one of the many addictions that the center treats.

Upon arrival patients will see breathtaking views of the ocean as the treatment facility lies just outside the Los Angeles area. Patient rooms are equipped with the comforts of home without including too many luxuries that may detract from the Alcohol Rehabilitation treatment focus. Amenities include gourmet meals, laundry service and transportation off center grounds as needed.

The Alcohol Rehab Program focuses on several aspects of treatment for each individual. Each aspect of the program coordinates with one another to ensure that patients are receiving the best possible treatment for their alcoholism. Aspects of treatment include therapy in both an individual and group setting. Physical and psychological components of the patient are also taken into consideration.

There is often a social stigma associated with receiving treatment for alcoholism. Cliffside Malibu removes that factor by boasting a clientele listing that includes politicians, movie stars and musicians. All patients receive the same confidential services regardless of what their social status is on the outside world. Staff is experienced, professional individuals that have patient success and best interests at heart at all times.

Everyone needs a safe place to come when addiction rules their life. Cliffside Malibu works to be that place for every addict. Staff does not pass judgment on the lifestyle choice that brings a patient to their front door. Instead a healthy way to make a fresh start is sought after together. Cliffside Malibu provides full scale treatment programs for a wide range of addictions. Staff is professional and discreet in dispensing the best course of action that serves an individual need to ensure the right course of action is taken the first time around. This ensures a successful second start to life in a healthy, happy, non-addictive manner.

Cliffside Malibu

Consultation begins on exemption for smaller, slower vessels

Alcohol rules for leisure mariners moved a step closer today as Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick launched a consultation on draft Regulations that will govern which vessels will come under the scope of the offence of being over the limit.

Following an extensive consultation, the Government announced in 2007 that it would introduce similar alcohol restrictions for leisure mariners to those in place for professional seafarers. The alcohol limit being introduced for leisure mariners is the same as the drink drive limit: 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood and will apply to those persons involved in the navigation of a vessel.

The Government proposes that the offence should affect larger, faster vessels while providing an exemption for a limited number of smaller, slower craft. The consultation launched today seeks views on the draft Regulations that would exempt non-professional mariners on ships which are less than 7 metres and a maximum design speed of 7 knots or less.

Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"The Government takes alcohol abuse at sea very seriously. Everyone has the right to enjoy themselves on the water, but not in a way that puts others at risk.

"The limited exemption at 7 metres and 7 knots is designed to provide the best balance between improving safety and avoiding unnecessary regulation. I welcome people’s views on the draft regulations."

The exemption will not affect the separate offence of being impaired through drink and drugs while navigating a ship.

The Department for Transport intends to introduce the two offences for leisure mariners in late 2009 subject to Parliamentary approval for the new Regulations.

Department for Transport

Community groups are being challenged to help shape UK drinking culture with the launch of a new £1million grants fund from the Drinkaware Trust (Drinkaware), the UK charity which aims to reduce alcohol harm.

The scheme, ‘Drinkaware Grants’, aims to tackle the growing problem of alcohol misuse in the UK by funding new and existing alcohol education initiatives which aim to change people’s attitudes to alcohol on a local, regional and national level.

Alcohol misuse can be directly related to deaths from certain types of diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver, as well as leading to other long-term health problems, anti-social behaviour and violence. Alcohol-related injuries and illnesses cost the NHS around £2.7 billion a year, and it is estimated that up to 22,000 premature deaths per year are associated in some way with alcohol misuse.*

The drinkaware grants launch cash point image

In response to Britain’s drink problem, Drinkaware Grants are geared to fit a wide range of engaging and impactful projects – from film production and theatre workshops to youth conferences and large-scale partnerships – and can include peer-led education and awareness-raising among disadvantaged groups who are at risk from alcohol misuse.

Funding is open to organisations working with under-18s and 25-44 year olds in any part of the UK. Charities, community and other voluntary organisations can apply for funding towards new and existing projects, as well as piloting ideas that have wider potential. There are three levels of awards:

* Ideas Fund, up to £2,000

* Awareness Projects, up to £25,000

* Big Impact Award, up to £100,000

Drinkaware Grants form part of Drinkaware’s public education programme which aims to change British drinking culture by engaging consumers with impactful information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles.

Drinkaware’s CEO, Chris Sorek said: “The current economic crisis can be tough on voluntary organisations so it’s vital Drinkaware supports communities and charities who want to change alcohol culture in the UK. By responding to community need, impactful and innovative education projects can tackle the roots of alcohol misuse, make a positive difference to people’s lives and create widespread change.”

Drinkaware Trust

Breathing Space Thailand provides a highly effective programme for the treatment of drug or alcohol addiction. This discreet & confidential drug rehab offers an individualised, results orientated programme for a maximum for 5 clients.

Breathing Space Thailand is a luxury residential Drug & Alcohol spa treatment Centre in Chiang Mai Thailand, South East Asia. They provide a unique setting and speciality program to aid clients on their way to recovery from drug or alcohol addiction

The Breathing Space Thailand treatment programme runs between 2 to 12 weeks, to best suit their client’s needs, although to ensure an effective treatment they recommend a stay of at least 28 days.

Treatment Manager Garrett Tuck says the specialty treatment at Breathing Space Thailand is perfect for helping clients deal with addiction.

There is no other service that I know of that offers the luxury and facilities that we do. Breathing Space Thailand has been designed to help the process of change and from the moment you arrive, you will know that you are somewhere very special.

Setting up Breathing Space Thailand in Chiang Mai was an easy decision for Garrett as it helped fill a void for recovery centres in the region and is convenient to reach from almost anywhere in Asia.

With direct flights to Chiang Mai from other areas such as Malaysia, Singapore, China, Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok we are well situated to receive clients from throughout the region.

The Breathing Space Thailand treatment programme was devised by John O Donnell, a qualified and accredited addictions therapist with more than 10 years experience of working specifically within residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment settings.

John emphasises the importance of finding a balance between addictions treatment that challenges the client to address their thinking and behaviour and yet, at the same time, encourages the client to find new ways to relax, de-stress and enjoy the benefits of being drug or alcohol free.

"I have created a programme that requires clients to be motivated and pro-active in addressing the thinking and behaviour associated with their addiction. However, recovery should not be a punishment! So we have created a holistic programme that enables our clients to find a new balance in their recovery, which is supported by a carefully crafted, structured programme that integrates complementary therapy and spa treatment. When people can find genuine enjoyment from their recovery, they respond in a far more positive way to the therapeutic process."

Spa Treatment Centre