Alcohol Help

The phrase ‘Saga Lout’ was first coined back in 2007 when Dr Peter Rice, an expert in alcohol abuse, identified the increasing problem of elderly binge drinkers. Recent results from the Office for National Statistics have shown that the problem of alcohol abuse amongst the elderly is increasingly a cause for concern. In fact, it reported that the 65+ age group had "the highest figure for proportion of people who drank every day (15 per cent)." It also showed that there is a correlation between an increase in age and alcohol consumption: "The proportion of people who drink every day rises as age group rises. For example, 1 per cent of men and women aged 16 to 24 had drunk every day during the previous week, compared with 20 per cent of men and 11 per cent of women aged 65 and over."

So, why are the elderly increasingly turning to the drink? Sue Allchurch, director of Linwood Group, explains further: "The elderly of today are drinking far more than the generation before them. This can in part be explained by the fact that drinking in the home has become more socially acceptable over the past 30 years and that the comparative price of wine, beer and spirits has fallen significantly. In addition, home delivery services are now making it even easier to buy alcohol discretely.

"Alcohol is often used as a coping mechanism when a person faces stress and for the elderly this can be anything from dealing with social isolation, ill health or bereavement to simply a change in lifestyle following retirement. The reason that the media has been slow to pick up on this growing trend of alcohol abuse in the elderly is that the majority drink in the privacy of their own homes, rather than publicly in the pubs and clubs."

Results from a survey commissioned by Foundation66, found that out of the 800+ over 60’s questioned ‘13% said they drank more after retirement, despite the risks to their health’. So, why are alcohol and elderly consumers such a bad mix? Well, not only does a person’s capacity to tolerate alcohol deteriorate with age, but the dangers of alcohol are increased among older drinkers, particularly because of medication, frailty, and other health problems. The Department of Health recommends that men and women should not regularly drink more than 21 units and 14 units respectively of alcohol a week; exceeding these limits means that older people are particularly vulnerable to alcohol-induced memory problems and dementia. In addition, heavy drinking is associated with a raised risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and certain cancers.

As drinking tends to be carried out in the privacy of the home and there are so few services set up specifically for late-onset drinking problems, the elderly might find it difficult to admit they have a drink problem or even see that their ‘harmless glass of wine’ every day might be doing more damage than good. If asked, they would most likely say that they were social drinkers, and yet could not imagine dinner or a bad day without alcohol. If you are unsure if that drink or two you, or a loved one, is having are becoming a damaging habit, Sue Allchurch recommends the following: "Keep an alcohol diary for a week or two and see just how much alcohol is actually being consumed. It will very soon become apparent by doing a diary, if that ‘odd’ drink is a regular occurrence or not."

To help identify if your drinking is becoming a problem rather than a pleasure, the Linwood Group has set up a Traffic Light System. By checking through the symptoms, you will quickly be able to see whether you are on green, amber or red alert with your drinking levels.

If you are worried about alcohol abuse in an elderly family member or friend, what can be done about it? The first step is to seek professional advice. This could be simply making an appointment with your GP to get help and advice, or it could be calling an approved treatment centre to talk through your issues and any possible treatment options. The first step is always the hardest, so make the choice today not to let alcohol steal yours or your family’s health any longer and make that call.

Linwood Manor

It is estimated that one in 17 people (6.4%) in Great Britain are alcohol dependent . Although alcohol dependence was once considered a problem associated with middle age, this is no longer the case. In fact a report by the Department of Health has shown that alcohol dependence is now highest in women between the ages of 16-24 and men between the ages of 25-34. So what is the definition of alcohol dependence and what can be done to encourage a person dependent on alcohol to seek help?

Sue Allchurch, director of Linwood Group, a leading provider of alcohol treatment facilities, explains further: "Alcohol dependence 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. A person moving towards alcohol dependency will drink even when they know it is not safe and at levels way above the safe limits and their blood tests would show signs of dangerous drinking. They may have already experienced difficulties at work, home or even with the police. When a person reaches this stage, it is vital that they are encouraged to admit and confront their drinking, before it is too late."

So, what can be done to encourage a person to get the help they so desperately need? The first stage will be some form of intervention by family, friends or a trained professional. Alcohol addiction intervention is very often a key first step on a person’s road to recovery. Realisation that there is even a problem is vital if a person is going to be able to see that their drinking is out of control and that they need help. It is common for a person dependent on alcohol to deny that they have a problem when confronted and to blame, become angry, play the victim or use fear to avoid admitting the reality of the situation. This is where a professional interventionist can play a vital part in getting an addict to face the truth about their addiction.

Here are some things to keep in mind for those beginning to think about planning some sort of the path of alcohol treatment and intervention:

• Who to invite? Choose a selection of people closest to the person being challenged. This doesn’t have to just be family members, but can include best friends or significant others in their lives (it is recommended that children not be included). Avoid including friends or family struggling themselves with addictions, or those who could potentially prove untrustworthy with the details of the intervention to others.

• When and where? Try and arrange for the alcohol treatment intervention to take place somewhere the person goes to often. As it is best to try and time the intervention for shortly after a person’s last bout of drinking has occurred, the home is usually the most practical location. Remember, an intervention can be very emotional, so the venue should be chosen with this in mind.

• What needs to be said? Be specific. Use examples of the ways that the person’s drinking is impacting on you and the rest of the family and friends and include the latest incident as a prime example.

• Be clear on the next step. You need to make it obvious to your loved one what you will do if they refuse to seek help for their addiction.

• Know your options. Gather information in advance about the type of help available so you can immediately book an appointment for them with a treatment counsellor or GP if they agree to get help.

• Strength in numbers. If they refuse to get help, ask one of their most respected friends or family members to talk to them and reiterate the steps you have already outlined.

• Professional help? The benefit of having someone involved in the intervention who is professionally trained is that they are not emotionally tied to the situation, so can keep the process on track, steering a person towards the end goal of agreeing to get help. They are trained to handle any issues that arise during an intervention and can also escort the person to alcohol rehabilitation treatment then and there if required.

Linwood Manor

Open Minds, Chester
Abstinence-based alcohol treatment that integrates the 12-step model

About us:

Open Minds aims to improve the lives of people affected by alcohol by offering high quality, abstinence-based treatment that integrates the 12-step model with other appropriate therapies. It is committed to delivering a service that best meets the needs and interests of its clients.

Open Minds will exclude alcohol clients who have:

*psychiatric morbidity e.g. acute psychosis, requiring acute psychiatric treatment
*physical morbidity e.g. life threatening physical illness
*physical disabilities due to limited access.

Assessment and admissions; Following a telephone referral, potential alcohol clients are invited to attend an interview with a counsellor at Open Minds. An application form is completed and clients are encouraged to ask questions and to talk to clients on the programme.

Additional admissions services; Open Minds are able to carry out telephone assessments and it is happy for applicants to meet existing clients.

Harm reduction policies for alcohol clients leaving the programme early; Clients are encouraged to contact a family member, care manager or support worker before leaving. They are assisted in making plans for a safe journey and in deciding where they will stay on leaving the project.

Contact Details:

Open Minds
The Estates House
West Cheshire College
Eaton Road
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 7ER

Telephone: 01978 312 120

Peer pressure to drink to excess could be all in our minds according to a survey published for the Department of Health today.

A YouGov poll of more than 2,000 English adults suggests over one in five (22%) people who have ended up drinking more than planned put it down to peer pressure, while 39% of drinkers feel the need to make up an excuse or lie to justify refusing a drink.

However, the survey for the Department of Health’s ‘Alcohol Effects’ campaign shows this is unnecessary as it appears peer pressure hardly exists.

The poll found:

* only 1% of English adults who drink, think less of people who refuse a drink or choose to drink less than them;
* just 4% expect their friends to keep up with them when drinking; and
* only 2% admit to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they don’t want to.

The NHS recommends women do not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day (about 2 small glasses of wine), and men do not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day (about two pints of beer).

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said:

"Many of us enjoy a drink — drinking sensibly isn’t a problem, but too many are regularly drinking more than the NHS advises. This means you’re at higher risk of getting cancer or having a stroke or heart attack.

“This survey should encourage us all that it is ok to be honest with our friends about when we’ve had enough.

“Protecting our long-term health should be a good enough reason for anyone.”

Health and Wellbeing Expert Liz Tucker said:

“There is sometimes a certain amount of cajoling that goes on between friends on a night out to have an extra tipple, but people need to realise this is usually all in good jest, as this research backs up.

“In reality, nobody really minds when a friend calls it a night if they feel they’ve had enough, or when our partner doesn’t fancy sharing a bottle at home – and we should all feel confident enough to say so.”

Top tips

Rather than having to resort to bending the truth to avoid drinking, those wanting to drink less could try the following tips:

· Take it a day at a time: try and cut back a little every day. Each day you cut back is a success.

· Make it a smaller one: you can still enjoy a drink but have less. Try bottled beer instead of a pint or a small glass of wine instead of a large.

· Have a lower strength drink: manage how much you drink by swapping a strong strength beer or wine for one with a lower ABV.

· Take a break: have the odd day here and there when you don’t have a drink

The health facts:

· You could be three times more likely to have a stroke and three times more likely to get mouth cancer if you’re a man regularly drinking more than two pints of strong lager a day.

· You are 50% more likely to get breast cancer and twice as likely to have high blood pressure, which could lead to a stroke or a heart attack, if you’re a woman regularly drinking two glasses of wine or more a day.

Department of Health

When you’re in search of a spot for a family member to receive alcohol rehab services, There is a place that is luxurious and special and can help you with your alcohol addiction.

The location is in the beautiful desert, surrounded by mountains and the atmosphere needed to feel revitalized to enjoy your alcohol addiction recovery. Once used as a bed and breakfast, this location boasts high quality grounds and architecture and is the top choice for anyone in need of alcohol addiction recovery.

If your loved ones or you are in need of specialized alcohol care in a facility full of luxuries, this is the place that you should come to visit. The grounds are made complete with the healing gardens and ponds that are found on the property. There are hideaways and streams where a person can go to begin their healing process.

Journey healing Centers offer the best in therapies and not only help you through your physical alcohol addiction, they teach you to heal your body, mind and soul. You will find out why you started the addiction and learn how to break free from it. This healing will help you to remain alcohol free.

There are activities on the premises such as painting, yoga, steam baths and hiking which will encourage each person to walk away with a deep sense of well being and the tools needed to be free of addiction for the rest of their lives.

The time spent at the center is about 28 to 90 days, and the best part is, this facility will give aftercare to all of their clients free of charge for the rest of their lives. If there is a feeling of backsliding they are free to join in on any of the meetings offered to keep them on the road of sobriety.

Journey Healing Center

As the question of how best to deal with privatization of alcohol sales and drinking and driving continue to be debated in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) are pleased to present the seventh annual forum, aptly entitled Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity.

The alcohol event will be held on Tuesday March 2, 2010 at the North York Memorial Community Hall, 5100 Yonge Street / 3 Park Home Ave, Toronto.

Public health professionals, alcohol addiction counselors and policy makers will gather from across the province to discuss Ontarios alcohol policy and the actions that need to be taken based on current research, policy, and practical applications that address alcohol-related harm.

This years forum focuses on strategies for adapting national and provincial alcohol strategies for local impact.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, this years alcohol forum is a collaboration of the OPHA and CAMH. Support also comes from the Pan American Health Association, York Region Public Health Services, Ottawa Public Health, Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington Public Health, and Toronto Public Health.

Established in 1949, OPHA is a voluntary, independent organization of public health professionals that provides leadership on issues affecting the publics health. The Alcohol Policy Network is a program of OPHA which provides analysis of healthy public policies that influence the consumption of alcohol.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canadas largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the worlds leading research centres in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

Webnewswire

“Alcohol and substance abuse – both categorized as addictions — has reached epic proportions in the 21st century” says John Giordano, Founder and President of G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center in North Miami Beach, Florida. As part of this year’s observance of National Alcohol Awareness Month (April), Mr. Giordano is asking the media and community leaders to partner with him in educating the public to addiction and the solutions.

The statics are staggering. Three in ten Americans say they are either binge or flat out heavy drinkers. That equates to seventy-million drunk and/or impaired Americans walking and driving down our neighborhood streets every month. The American Medical Association (AMA) research clearly shows that almost one-third of adults report having some form of alcohol use problem during their lifetime. People from every race, color and socio-economic background are at risk. Alcohol and substance abuse among America’s youth is also on the rise.

The consequences are equally numbing. Alcohol and drug-related driving accidents and deaths have consistently increased over the years. Drug and alcohol problems cost the United States an estimated $276 billion annually, while the human toll they take is virtually incalculable.

“The problem is not going to solve itself” says Giordano. He would know – John has been treating addicts and alcoholics for over twenty-years. “It’s time to take action – it’s time to join together and bring this issue out into the open so that we can begin the process of educating and eradicating this hideous disease.”

Mr. Giordano believes that by educating individuals and parents about alcoholism and its causes, not only will you help current alcoholics, but quite possibly prevent future generations of alcoholics. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of alcoholic behaviors such as early childhood trauma, mental disorders, genetics, environment and bio-chemical deficiencies. Early childhood trauma includes — but is not limited to — sexual and/or physical abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Some of the mental illnesses that often accompany addiction are learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression and a multitude of others.

Although there is no cure for alcoholism at this time, there is hope. Mr. Giordano is a pioneer in holistic addiction treatment. He’s helped thousands survive and manage their disease. The program he personally advanced incorporates the combination of cutting-edge practices from both eastern and western medicine. His philosophy is simple yet effective: treat the body, mind and spirit. In doing so, Mr. Giordano developed exceptional protocols that are revered by his peers and are quickly becoming treatment standards at addiction facilities worldwide. Giordano openly shares his successful techniques in his highly regarded book: “Proven Holistic Treatment for Addiction & Chronic Relapse” It is being utilized by counselors and therapist at several state hospitals and a number of treatment centers across the country.

G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center

‘Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse’, an alcohol awareness project run by London Active Communities and Premier Rugby, is due to kick off across the country this month after receiving £100,000 funding from the charity, Drinkaware.

The ground-breaking new youth inclusion project will see specially trained community staff from Premiership Rugby Clubs and local youth workers deliver sports-based alcohol education to young people aged 13 to 19. The programme will target hard to reach and disadvantaged communities in 12 areas, including Newcastle, Leeds and London.

‘Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse’ is unique because it mixes traditional rugby training with alcohol education to encourage young people to think carefully about alcohol and its effects in a new and interesting way. Techniques employed by community staff and local youth workers will mix traditional rugby training with quiz-style questions on alcohol, warm-up relays and the use of specially designed beer goggles which, when worn, impair vision in a similar way to alcohol.

Designed to support larger scale projects with a national influence, the Big Impact Award of up to £100,000 is Drinkaware’s largest grant and ‘Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse’ is the only project to have received this level of funding to date. The charity’s grants programme supports a diverse range of pioneering and creative projects which aim to reduce alcohol misuse and make a tangible change in local communities across the country.

Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:

“The earlier young people have alcohol, the more likely they are to binge drink in their teenage years and develop alcohol problems later in life – which is why it’s imperative young people put off drinking for as long as possible. Changing young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards drinking can be a difficult task but teaming sports with alcohol education is a great way to help get the message across.

“‘Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse’ is an innovative approach to educating disaffected areas of our society about alcohol and Drinkaware is extremely proud to be funding such a pioneering project. Like all of our grants programmes, we look forward to seeing the results and sharing good practice to help advance alcohol education.”

Premier Rugby’s club community staff and local youth providers underwent intense training to be able to deliver the programme this month. ‘Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse’ is underpinned by six core alcohol messages for young people: the effects of alcohol on physical and mental health; harm minimisation; anti-social behaviour; units and sensible drinking; alcohol and safety and the consequences of drinking to excess. Part of the training was also extended to under 20 and youth players at Premier Rugby’s clubs to educate them about the effects of drinking to excess – while also reminding them of their responsibilities as role models and ambassadors for their clubs.

Dan Ward-Smith of London Wasps said, “As athletes, we have had a good deal of education on what alcohol is and what it does to your body. It is important that we pass this knowledge on to young people and show how it could affect their health, their judgement and their relationships.”

Gary Stannett, Chief Executive of London Active Communities said "Addressing alcohol issues with young people can sometimes be difficult, particularly when working in hotspots noted for high levels of disengaged young people. However, we are confident that incorporating high profile sports brands and sport-based techniques into education plans will prove a successful way of engaging these young boys and girls".

Drinkaware

Eastern Missouri Alternative Sentencing Services (EMASS) has announced that Saint Louis County Justice Services awarded their alcohol monitoring contract for the county’s DUI offenders to EMASS and their transdermal alcohol sensors, known as SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitors).

SCRAM includes an ankle bracelet, worn around-the-clock, that samples an offender’s perspiration every 30 minutes in order to ensure compliance with court-ordered sobriety. Both the St. Louis County Circuit and Drug Courts have used the SCRAM System on 375 offenders to-date. Nearly 70 offenders, predominantly repeat drunk drivers, are monitored daily in St. Louis County. The St. Louis City Court has monitored an additional 85 offenders with SCRAM.

According to EMASS President Mike Smith, the contract is particularly important because the review process included testing of other alcohol monitoring systems by Saint Louis County Justice Services officials. "We’ve been providing SCRAM technology to courts in the eastern part of Missouri since 2003 because we believe this technology is the best and most reliable way for the criminal justice system to fight the epidemic of drunk driving," says Smith. "SCRAM has revolutionized the way we manage DUI offenders, allowing courts to focus on the root cause of the criminal behavior, which is the alcohol abuse and addiction." EMASS has monitored nearly 2,500 offenders with SCRAM in 28 eastern Missouri counties. Smith says that by testing other technologies and selecting SCRAM and EMASS, the award underscores the county’s belief in the system. "It tells us that we’re delivering the right technology and providing value to their program. We are honored to be a part of this contract," he says.

Denver-based Alcohol Monitoring Systems (AMS), which manufactures and markets the SCRAM System throughout the U.S., says the strongest testament to the reliability of the SCRAM System is when agencies test their product side-by-side with other testing protocols. "Seeing is believing," says Don White, AMS COO. "We’ve got a long, proven track record of successfully monitoring hundreds of thousands of offenders. But first-hand experience – putting SCRAM head to head with other testing protocols – is the best way to show officials the potential for managing their offenders and keeping communities safe," he says.

Statewide, SCRAM has been used to monitor nearly 4,000 Missouri offenders, including a highly publicized pilot program with the Missouri Department of Corrections. Nationally, SCRAM is used in 48 states and has monitored 125,000 offenders since 2003.

On February 1, AMS also began a controlled roll-out of the next generation of their system, which incorporates House Arrest monitoring into their transdermal monitoring bracelet. Known as SCRAMx, the system will begin limited use in eastern Missouri counties in March, allowing courts the option to increase or decrease supervision of repeat, high-risk offenders with a single monitoring bracelet.

Alcohol and Crime in Missouri

According to The Century Council, which compiles DUI/DWI data state by state, more than 35,000 offenders are arrested each year for DWI in the state of Missouri. Of those, more than 28 percent are repeat offenders. And according to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly 36 percent of violent crimes and 75 percent of domestic violence cases include offenders who were drunk at the time of the offense. Drunk drivers represent 18 percent of all those on probation each year, more than any other single offense. "Recidivism rates for offenders struggling with alcohol are astounding. Programs that can manage the addiction and ensure sobriety through continuous testing are seeing significant impact," says White.

About Eastern Missouri Alternative Sentencing Services (EMASS), Inc.

Founded in 1991, EMASS is a company that provides a wide range of services to the courts and criminal justice system throughout Missouri, including private probation supervision, pre-sentence investigations, SATOP service for DWI offenders, domestic violence counseling and education seminars, driver improvement programs and alcohol/drug education programs, as well as traditional electronic (house arrest) monitoring. Headquartered in St. Louis, EMASS has field offices in St. Charles, the City of St. Louis, Florissant, Olivette, O’Fallon, Warrenton, Montgomery City, Jefferson City, Columbia, Springfield, Union and Troy, Missouri.

About Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.

Established in 1997, Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. manufactures SCRAM®, the world’s only Continuous Alcohol Monitoring system, which uses non-invasive transdermal analysis to monitor alcohol consumption. SCRAM fully automates the alcohol testing and reporting process, providing courts and community corrections agencies with the ability to continuously monitor alcohol offenders, increase offender accountability and assess compliance with sentencing requirements and treatment guidelines. Alcohol Monitoring Systems employs 116 people across the U.S. and is a privately-held company headquartered in Littleton, Colorado.

Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc

If you or a loved one is in need of drug rehabilitation, Arizona offers a center that is top notch for all of their clients struggling with addiction for alcohol rehabilitation, Arizona is the home state to one of the best treatment centers available in North America.

Located in beautiful Scottsdale Arizona, the Sundance Center has become one of the foremost leaders in providing alcohol rehab. Arizona is beautifully landscaped with the desert and mountain views, that it has become a vital part of the therapy that The Center has to offer. The staff is professional and can offer the newest treatment when it comes to addiction recovery in Arizona.

The Center was recently featured in People magazine and also has been broadcast on MTV due to their outstanding treatment plan and drug rehabilitation. Arizona offers the peace and quiet that an addict needs to start the healing process and the professional staff and doctors at The Center are on their side.

The stay at the Center is between 28 and 90 days where each client receives a personalized treatment schedule and regimen. Not only at The Center do they offer individual therapy, they offer therapy for the entire family and when the client has graduated and is allowed to go home, they are offered free aftercare for the rest of their life. This is a center that has put a true focus on the client and the clients success is ultimately what has made this center what it is today.

The Sundance Center treats each client in a unique holistic manner which means not only treating the addiction, but treating the mind, the body and the soul. This is why they have become successful and have become a number one choice for those dealing with addiction not only here but internationally.

At Sundance not only do they offer the top notch recovery care from doctors and staff, the Center helps families perform interventions to get through to loved ones that they see are slipping into addiction. They are there not only for the clients nut their families as well and success is as important to them as it is to you.

If you are struggling with addiction or you have family member that needs a good holistic approach to combat alcohol addiction problem you could contact the professionals at The Center today.

The Sundance Center