Alcohol Help

The Scottish Government will introduce the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill in autumn 2011 which will introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol. A specific minimum unit price will not be contained within the Bill because the Scottish Government considers separating the principle of the measure and the actual price allows each to be fully scrutinised and considered in turn. The aim of the Bill is to protect and improve public health by reducing alcohol consumption.

Given the link between consumption and harm, and evidence that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption, addressing price is an important element of any long-term strategy to tackle alcohol misuse. The Scottish Government has the powers and a strong mandate now to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

There is general recognition that Scotland’s problem with alcohol must be addressed. Recently published alcohol sales data suggests that enough alcohol was sold in Scotland for every adult to exceed weekly recommended limits for men (21 units) each and every week since 2000. Alcohol sales are now 23% higher in Scotland than in England and Wales – the biggest difference ever recorded during the 17 years measured since 1994. The total cost of alcohol misuse to Scotland is estimated to average £3.56 billion every year – that equates to £900 for every adult living in Scotland.

Minimum pricing is one of over 40 measures in our Alcohol Framework aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.

The Scottish Government

An NHS Health Scotland report has revealed that Scottish adults consume 23% more alcohol than their English and Welsh counterparts, with sales in alcohol more than twice what they were in the mid-1990s and up 2% on 2009 figures.

The report, Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy: An update of alcohol sales and price band analyses, shows that on average 2.2 more litres of pure alcohol were sold in Scotland to people aged 16 and over than in England last year. The amount of vodka sold in off-licences was almost two-and-a-half times higher.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, who is preparing an alcohol minimum pricing bill, which is to be revealed by the First Minister when the Scottish Parliament reconvenes, described the figures as ‘shocking’, saying: “This situation must be tackled head on. The impact of excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.56bn each year. That’s £900 for every adult.”

The report also revealed a massive shift over the past decade in how people buy and consume alcohol. It shows a 28% decrease in alcohol sales in pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels between 1994 and 2010, and a rise of 52% in off-sales. It is now estimated that two-thirds of alcohol sales are made in supermarkets, grocers and other off-sales outlets, which have faced criticism from the Government and campaigners over cheap drink promotions.

Ms Sturgeon said: “For too long Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol has gone unaddressed.

“These figures, alongside the 3% increase in alcohol-related deaths reported earlier this month, make it clear to me that further action is needed and evidence shows us that minimum pricing is the most efficient and effective way of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms.”

Labour’s health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said she looked forward to debating the Government’s proposals but added: “Given alcohol prices are broadly similar across the UK, the difference in consumption levels cannot be explained away solely by price.”

The report comes in the wake of one by The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommending that safe limits for alcohol consumption by older people should be drastically cut. The report said that people over 65 should drink a maximum of only 1.5 units of alcohol a day – the equivalent of just over about half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine – because they are less able to process alcohol and the drink might also interact with medication they may be taking for other ailments.

It warned that current advice – 14 units of alcohol for women and 21 for men each week – is based on young adults and that excessive drinking in older age is both widespread and preventable.

Age Scotland

Alcohol sales are now 23 per cent higher in Scotland than in England and Wales, the biggest difference ever recorded during the 17 years measured since 1994.

The new figure is contained in a report published today by NHS Health Scotland.

The publication shows that on average 2.2 more litres of pure alcohol per adult were sold in Scotland than in England in 2010 – 11.8 litres versus 9.6 litres.

This equates to 22.8 units of alcohol per adult per week in Scotland, above the recommended upper weekly limit of 21 units for men.In addition almost 2.5 times more vodka was sold per adult in Scotland through off-sales than in England and Wales

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said:”For too long Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol has gone unaddressed.

These shock statistics show that the difference between alcohol consumption in Scotland and England and Wales is now at its highest rate for 17 years.

This is a situation that must be tackled head on.”The impact of excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.56 billion each year.

That’s £900 for every adult.”We have already taken bold action against this most pressing of problems.

Our Alcohol Framework outlines a package of over 40 measures to reduce alcohol related harm.”In addition we have banned quantity discounts and restricted promotions in off-sales, measures which will take effect from October this year.”However, these figures published today alongside the three per cent increase in alcohol related deaths reported earlier this month, make it clear to me that further action is needed still.

Evidence shows us that minimum pricing is the most efficient and effective way of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol related harms.

That is why we will introduce a Minimum Pricing Bill as a priority in the Autumn.”Minimum pricing can and will help us to redress the balance when it comes to our unhealthy relationship with alcohol.”

The Scottish Government

Castle Craig Hospital, West Linton
For the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions

About us:

Our treatment programme aims to involve the immediate family as closely as possible in the therapy and educational and aftercare programme. Considerable damage will have occurred to the spouse, parents and children as a result of the chemical dependency and the family’s early involvement in the recovery process is important. In addition employers and supervisors are encouraged to participate in the educational programme and aftercare planning.

For patients who are alcohol or drug dependent abstinence is essential. Treatment leads to a new direction in achieving a fulfilling and meaningful life. It is the beginning of a life-long journey in recovery with sober friends and strong support networks.

The model of treatment is described as the Minnesota Model and more recently as Twelve Step Treatment.

Treatment includes the following components:

Assessment

All patients undergo a thorough and comprehensive assessment which begins before admission and continues during the subsequent few days following admission. Patients are assessed by the consultant in charge and by members of the multidisciplinary team.
Treatment Plan

Each patient has an individualised care plan which establishes objectives to assist him/her to understand the illness of addiction and to address relapse triggers. The weekly ward round and daily team meetings, supervised by the Consultant, monitor the patient’s progress.
Detoxification

Following admission the patient’s detoxification requirements will be assessed by the Consultant. Our staff are sensitive to the needs of patients during this difficult period, providing support, encouragement and easing discomfort.
Therapy

The treatment programme is intensively structured and there is an overall consistency and clarity of focus. Each patient is assigned a focal therapist (cursor) who will conduct individual psychotherapy. Group therapy sessions are held twice daily. Specialised group therapy includes:

* Relaxation therapy.
* Eating disorders group therapy
* Relapse prevention group
* Body image group therapy
* Cognitive behavioural therapy
* Relationship therapy
* Grief group therapy
* Cross-addiction therapy
* Coping skills therapy
* Equine assisted therapy
* Horticultural therapy
* Women’s group therapy
* EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

Educational Therapy

The psycho-educational lecture component reinforces the group process and patients receive approximately 60 lectures during the six-week treatment period. The daily lectures by the clinical team cover a broad range of topics including:

* The illness of addiction
* Relapse prevention
* Assertiveness training
* The medical complications of addiction
* The Twelve Steps

Therapeutic Community

New admissions will receive a warm and caring welcome, not only from staff but also from their peers. Positive peer influences help in the identification of feelings, problem solving and the process of change. A renewed sense of hope and self esteem results from the shared experience and openness of other group members.
Discharge Planning

The importance of after care and discharge planning is emphasised throughout the treatment period. For some patients a period of time in our Extended Care hospital programme will prove invaluable. Ultimately the patient will be referred back to the general practitioner or any other medical practitioners involved in the patient’s care. When community addiction teams are involved, Castle Craig works in partnership with these referral bodies. Essential support networks include the 12 step fellowships and contacts within these fellowships can be are arranged by the patient’s therapist. Castle Craig also provides an after care programme, assisting graduates to apply the new knowledge they have gained.
The Patient’s Therapist

Upon admission each patient is assigned a focal therapist who will meet at once with the patient providing the medical condition is stable. The therapist will coordinate the assessments and treatment planning in conjunction with the medical and nursing staff. It is the therapist’s role to guide the patient through the first five steps of the AA programme and to prepare the patient for discharge. Individualised psychotherapy provides the opportunity to address the threats to recovery for the patient and for the family.

Contact Details:

Castle Craig Hospital
Blyth Bridge
West Linton
Peeblesshire
EH46 7DH

Telephone: 01721 722763