Alcohol Help

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, commenting on the release of “Reducing Alcohol Harm: health services in England for alcohol misuse” the Forty-seventh Report from the Public Accounts Committee, said:

“This report highlights the key reasons why alcohol problems are on the rise in England. When an average child’s weekly pocket money can buy 13 litres of cider it is right that MPs call for tougher, cross-department action to curb the irresponsible sale and promotion of cheap alcohol.

“Alcohol dependency affects more than one million people and, of course, has a huge, often hidden, impact on the families and friends. More must be done to ensure PCTs are taking the alcohol agenda seriously and are commissioning sufficient services that will be able to swiftly help those that develop problems.

“Your chances of suffering from a number of diseases, such as throat, mouth and breast cancer increase if you drink above government recommended guidelines. Yet labelling of alcohol is poor with insufficient information for consumers to make informed choices about their drinking. We welcome mandatory action on labelling in the light of the drinks industry’s failure to voluntarily comply with better practice.”

Alcohol Concern

Drinkaware’s response to Public Accounts Committee report ‘Reducing Alcohol Harm: health services in England for alcohol misuse.’

Reacting to a new report examining the current performance of the NHS in addressing alcohol harm, Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:

“There is no doubt that too many people are drinking too much, not only putting themselves at risk of major health problems but also placing a huge burden on the NHS. In addition to health services for people suffering from the effects of alcohol misuse, preventative methods are also key. Education must play a central role in tackling alcohol misuse – it’s imperative that people know what they’re drinking and how it will affect them.

“Timely and trusted information about cutting back, having alcohol-free days and staying healthy can help people reduce the negative impact of alcohol misuse. Knowing about unit guidelines* and how alcohol can affect overall health and well-being can help people make informed decisions about drinking.

“Changing public attitudes and behaviour towards alcohol requires long-term and sustained commitment and a partnership between government, industry, health and voluntary sectors. Drinkaware’s public education campaigns play a crucial role in raising awareness of the dangers of binge drinking.”

Drinkaware

For many people, alcohol is a problem – they know they are drinking too much or that alcohol is having a detrimental effect on their lives. Experts at health charity Alcohol Concern estimate that around 1 in 13 of the British population is dependent on alcohol and a full 1 in 4 drink above recommended limits.

Apart from the health issues arising from prolonged, heavy drinking (heart disease, strokes, cancer, brain and nerve damage, organ damage), people who are drinking too much encounter all sorts of other problems in their relationships and careers.

"Alcohol is a drug and the more you drink, the more tolerant your body becomes to its effects," explains Sue Allchurch, research director at Linwood Group, a leading provider of alcohol detox and rehabilitation services.

"You need to be aware of how alcohol can start to control you and eventually take over your life. Some people can control their drinking – but others can’t, and if you suspect you might be one of them, you need to act now," she says.

If you want to stop drinking alcohol, a vital first step is to take a long, hard look at your drinking habits, by asking yourself the following four questions:

1. Why do I drink? If you drink to combat the stresses of modern life or to feel less shy in social situations, you need to consider other ways to achieve this.

2. What are the negative effects of my drinking? Drinking too much can effect your relationships, your health, your job and have a profound impact on your self-esteem and likeliness to develop depressive illness. It’s important to make a full and honest account of these effects.

3. What positive effects might I expect to achieve by stopping drinking? How might the problems listed above be minimised or eliminated altogether if you didn’t drink alcohol?

4. What are your fears about quitting? What might put you off the idea. Again, this is important, because successful ex-drinkers find ways of addressing these concerns that work for them long term.

Of course, stopping drinking won’t just be a case of ‘sitting back and waiting for sobriety’. Many people find they need the help and support of professional alcohol treatment specialists to work their way through the above questions and find answers that work well for them. In particular, those who are already physically dependent on alcohol will need to undergo a medically supervised period of detox, as in such patients, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be difficult and even dangerous.

Linwood Manor

However there are far more similarities than differences in these addictions and respective treatments.

The decision to enter Alcohol Rehab or Drug Rehab can be a difficult one for all of those involved. One common stressor at this juncture is the struggle that often exists convincing the alcoholic that they are in need of help. Many times the alcoholic has a developed sense of denial regarding their alcohol abuse and respective effects. Fortunately for many families and loved ones in this position they now have the aid / support of interventionists as well as 12-step support groups to help them through this time and to encourage the active alcoholic to accept treatment.

While an alcoholic may have started out as a casual drinker, having 1 maybe 2 drinks a night to “Take the edge off” after a long days work or at social events, they could unknowingly cross a line that for most is very dangerous. When tolerance begins to build up, the 1 or 2 drinks can turn into 2 or 3, 3 or 4 and so on. After tolerance builds up to a certain level there is a sudden change in the body where tolerance becomes dependence. This is when the alcoholic is no longer in control of their intake of alcohol, the body needs and demands it at this point. Without alcohol the alcoholic will experience serious withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms are:

* A state of confusion and hallucinations (visual) — known as delirium tremens
* Agitation
* Fever
* Convulsions
* "Black outs" — when the person forgets what happened during the drinking episode

Admittedly most alcoholics do not know the exact moment that their drinking turned in to a problem. They primary reason for that is, having those few drinks a day loosens your inhibitions and dulls your decision making capability. Here is where it gets a little tricky, there are alcoholics out there who appear to function normally without any consequences, all the while drinking alcoholically. Theses are called high functioning alcoholics. They are no different than any of the other alcoholics, but sometimes harder to distinguish from people who do not suffer from chronic alcoholism, as they are able to perform daily tasks and able to blend in more successfully. Denial is very common an attribute in these individuals, and therefore they can be more difficult to reach without the help of professionals.

Many people who suffer from chronic alcoholism sadly and often suddenly find themselves in jeopardy or having already lost their job, family, marriage, friends and often resort to drinking alone until unconsciousness or “blackout”. There is also the risk of prison. If an alcoholic ever finds them self behind the wheel of a car either during a blackout or conscious and aware of where they are there is always the risk of getting in to an accident or hitting a pedestrian. This is why it is crucial to be more proactive if you know someone suffering with alcoholism. There are several ways to get help. If the person is willing to enter an Alcohol Detox Facility this is a step in the right direction. Sometimes the services of a professional Interventionist are required. A professional Interventionist can assist the alcoholic see how their problem is affecting others as well as keep a delicate situation under control. The goal is for the interventionist to facilitate the individual entering an alcoholism treatment facility.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center

Alcohol Concern as NHS statistics show children’s drinking has doubled since 1990

Statistics released by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre today revealed:

• A slight decrease on last year in the number of 11-15s who have tried alcohol – this is a continuing trend since 1988
• However, among those young people who do drink (having had alcohol in the past week)
1. Mean consumption was 5.3 units in 1990, rising to 9.2 units in 2007. This figure was revised upwards in 2007 to 12.7, when a new method was used to calculate consumption. The current level of consumption is 14.6 units (2008).
2. Children’s drinking levels have certainly near-doubled since 1990
3. They have increased by 1.9 units between 2007 and 2008 alone.

Commenting, Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Don Shenker said:

“Today’s figures are very worrying. We’ve seeing a slight decline in the number of children who drink, but those who do drink are drinking much more.

“Too many young people are now drinking at or above safe adult levels, yet their bodies are less able to cope with the harm alcohol can cause.

“We’ve already seen an almost one thousand per cent increase in liver cirrhosis deaths in the 25-44 age group. This is impacting our health services and the lives of families across the UK.

“Time and time again we hear from families that alcohol is too cheap and too easy for young people to get hold of. If the Government really wants to tackle alcohol misuse in this country, then it needs to get tough and follow the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations for a minimum price for alcohol.

Alcohol Concern

Police and the Safer Bristol Partnership are working together in Bedminster to tackle the street drinking problem that has been highlighted by local residents.

The street drinkers gathering in these areas can often be an intimidating presence for local residents. Over 100 local residents attending PACT meetings in June and July raised concerns about the street drinkers who congregate around East Street and Diamond Street making use of the cut-price off-licences in the area.

Inspector Caroline Bullen said, "The people of Bedminster have told us that this is a key priority for them and we have listened. We are determined to tackle the problems in the area using the powers available to us and by working closely with our partners over the coming months."

A drinking exclusion zone is already in place along East Street and over the coming weeks police will be targeting the area presenting the street drinkers with orders banning them from returning for 24 hours. If this order is violated then police will be taking further action and arresting repeat offenders.

Sergeant Lee Walton said, "We issued six notices to street drinkers in the exclusion zone last week and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. We will be clamping down by arresting any person who violates these banning orders. This will be the first time anyone in Bristol has been arrested under these laws but we intend to tackle the problem using all the powers available to us."

The work to tackle the problem is not only about enforcement, a group involving Police, Bristol City Council, local Councillors, Safer Bristol Community Safety Officers and the NHS have been working together not only to plan actions to crack down on street drinking but also to support those trapped in this lifestyle by their alcoholism.

Bristol City Council’s Streetwise team are helping the street drinkers get away from life on the streets and resolve their addictions and health problems.

The Streetwise project was set up in 2002 to tackle homelessness and begging in Bristol. They work with the NHS, the police and others aim to support homeless people in the city providing help with finding appropriate accommodation, support with drug and alcohol issues, and help to take up training and education.

Cllr Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member responsible for the Streetwise Project said: "Anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking will not be tolerated in Bristol. Through the partnership enforcement and support work together to solve the problem and make our communities safer."

"A wide range of assistance is offered to solve accommodation and health issues. Streetwise works with a number of agencies to help with alcohol problems and can refer individuals to services such as detox, in-patient treatment and day treatment programmes, among others where appropriate."

Katie Porter Alcohol Co-ordinator for the NHS said, "Anyone arrested for an offence linked to drinking has access to an alcohol worker in custody. These workers discuss alcohol use and its effect on family life, health and offending behaviour with those arrested."

In addition police will be targeting off-licences in the area who are selling alcohol to the drinkers, who are often inebriated whilst trying to purchase drinks.

Sergeant Lee Walton said, "We will be speaking to shop owners in the local areas and reminding them to sell alcohol responsibly. They should not be selling to people who are obviously drunk, anyone doing so is breaking the law and will be dealt with accordingly."

Police will also be sending letters to all residents in the most affected areas of Diamond Street, British Road and West Street asking them to help police tackle the problem by informing them every time they see a disturbance.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Under 18′s alcohol consumption and the anti-social behaviour issues it triggers are costing UK tax payers over £915 million a year. However, it isn’t just the short-term financial cost that is causing the Government to act. It is the long-term health implications of drinking from a young age which has caused the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, to announce a programme of financial support to assist in a nationwide crackdown on teenage binge drinking this summer.

Apart from the anti-social behaviour that can ensue when teenagers consume too much alcohol, there are the serious physical, mental and emotional issues to consider if that ‘one-off drink’ becomes a regular occurrence. Sue Allchurch, director of Linwood Group, explains further: "We are seeing more and more alcohol difficulties beginning in childhood. Although research shows that the number of young people who drink alcohol is falling, those children who do drink, drink more, more often and start from an earlier age.

"Summer is a time when young people are particularly prone to drinking too much. Apart from the longer evenings that summer brings, it is easier for young people to gather away from adult supervision to consume drugs and alcohol. In fact, the proportion of 11-15-year-olds who drink on the street, in a park or somewhere else outside has increased in the last 8 years. In a recent survey*, 56% of young people said that they had drunk outside on the street or in the park. This growing trend is worrying as drinking to excess can lead to many additional social, physical and mental health issues."

Apart from the anti-social behaviour that excessive summer drinking can cause, there are the health implications of drinking from a young age to consider. 10,000 children aged 11-17 are admitted to

Hospital each year as a result of their alcohol consumption, with 6,000 of these aged under 16. In addition to these hospital admissions, drinking at a young age increases a person’s chances of having to deal with cancer of the colon, pancreas, lip and mouth, breast or larynx; heart disease; cirrhosis of the liver and mental health problems, like depression in later life.

So how can you tell if a young person close to you is at risk? According to the Government’s leaflet for parents and carers concerning children, young people and alcohol here are some of the warning signs to look out for:

Does the child….

Drink every week?

Drink to get drunk every time?

Drink to forget or deal with problems or because they feel sad?

Drink to cope with situations or cannot cope without a drink?

Experience problems with school, police or friends when drinking?

If you are able to answer ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, then it is time to get help for excessive drinking. As with any addictive lifestyle, the sooner a person (whatever their age) is able to break their pattern of addiction, the greater their chances of avoiding long term health problems. Sue Allchurch continues: "Obviously, the longer a person has a drinking problem, the greater the impact of that addiction on their physical and mental health and on those around them. We would advise anyone who is beginning to feel that their child’s drinking is getting out of control to seek professional help sooner rather than later."

There are a range of treatments available for those looking to seek help for an alcohol related problem. The key is to choose the type of treatment that best suits the individual and is most likely to lead to a positive resolution to the addiction. A wide range of treatment centres are now available throughout the UK and offer safe and professional environments in which to begin the process of recovery.

Linwood Manor

Am I addicted to alcohol? You might be asking yourself this question after a particularly bad episode of drinking, or following a challenge from family or friends. However, below Sue Allchurch, director of Linwood Group, discusses what an addiction to alcohol actually is and why it is important to determine if you or a loved one are abusing alcohol, or addicted to it.

It is hard to define the moment when the ‘odd drink’ becomes a need, not just a want, but more and more people are struggling with alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction across the UK. So, what is the difference between the two and why do we need to make such a distinction? Addiction is defined as being "abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)", abuse is one step down from addiction and is defined as "misuse: improper or excessive use".

Alcohol abuse becomes apparent when, over a period of time, a person’s drinking has repeatedly caused or contributed to risk-taking behaviours, role impairment and relationship or legal problems. It shows that the person is drinking alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions (‘binge drinking’) or as a regular practice, without the development of tolerance, withdrawal or a compulsive alcohol use pattern. Addiction to alcohol however is the next stage on from this and is characterised in a person by their increased tolerance to the effects of alcohol, the presence of characteristic withdrawal signs and symptoms, and impaired control over the quantity and frequency of their drinking.

There has been a lot of debate in the medical profession and the media at large as to whether addiction is a disease, and also if it is genetic. Although there are those who say that addiction should be classified as a disease and others that don’t, it has been shown that there is a genetic predisposition towards alcohol addiction (or dependency as it is known in the medical community): The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism has identified five chromosomes that might cause someone to be predisposed to developing alcohol dependence. At this point it might be tempting to think ‘well, why fight nature then?’, but even though some people have a genetic and biological component that makes them more susceptible to substance dependence, that does not mean that if it becomes an addiction it is untreatable.

The key to success is in the diagnosis of the addiction and the tailoring of the treatment to suit the individual. As Dr Norman G Hoffman writes in Addiction Today "The extent to which dependent people have different biological and/or psychological reactions to a given substance should influence the type and extent of treatment required, as compared to those who are misusers or abusers."

Typically, people who are diagnosed as alcohol abusers can be helped with a brief intervention, including education concerning the dangers of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. For those who have become addicted to alcohol however, more intensive help is required. Due to the complexity of addiction it is not only the physical, but psychological and emotional aspects that will need treatment. Help for alcohol addiction will need to be in the form of detoxification, medical treatment, counselling and/or self-help group support – depending on the needs of the individual.

Overall, addiction can be defined as a disorder where loss of control, a need to continue the behaviour or substance and a preoccupation with the habit forms the greater part of the person’s life. It is a complex illness and will need expert advice and intervention if a person is to tackle the physical, emotional and psychological issues surrounding it adequately.

Linwood Manor