Alcohol Help

77% of people don’t know how many units in a glass of wine

A new ‘Units’ campaign which aims to tell drinkers how many units are in their drinks and help them stick to their limits was launched today by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo.

The Know Your Limits campaign - the biggest alcohol awareness campaign to date - kicks off its units strand with a series of adverts on TV, radio, billboards and in press, depicting the number of units in individual drinks. The Units campaign has an overall budget of £6 million for 2008/09. It will be followed by a £4 million binge-drinking campaign from the Home Office next month.

The units campaign uses iconic imagery to help people understand how many units are in typical alcoholic drinks, and how to stay within the recommended daily guidelines for regular drinking of 2-3 units a day for women, and 3-4 units a day for men. The campaign will also warn people about how regularly drinking too much can damage their health.

New YouGov poll results out today show that English drinkers don’t know exactly how much they are drinking. More than four out of five (82 per cent) claim to know what a unit of alcohol is, yet 77 per cent don’t know how many units are in a typical large glass of wine.

More than half (55 per cent) of those questioned thought a large glass of wine (ABV 12 per cent) would contain two units, when it actually contains three. More than a third (35 per cent) did not know that an average pint of beer (ABV 4 per cent) contains two units, while nearly three out of five (58 per cent) did not know a double gin and tonic also contains two units.

Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, said:

"Glass sizes have grown larger and the strength of many wines and beers has increased, so it’s no wonder some of us have lost track of our alcohol consumption.

"This campaign is all about helping people understand how many units are in their favourite drinks, and helping them to keep an eye on their intake for the good of their long-term health.

"Excessive alcohol consumption is proven to play a significant role in the development of numerous diseases, including several cancers, heart disease and stroke. That’s why this campaign is so important to the public’s health."

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "I fully welcome this public information campaign. Combined with wider action across government, this is a vital measure in tackling all forms of excessive drinking."

"In the meantime we will continue to work closely with everyone involved -government agencies and industry alike - to tackle the harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption."

Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said:

"It is important that people are aware of how much alcohol their drinks contain, and the associated links to health harm. I welcome this initiative for the sake of everyone’s health, to improve understanding of units and encourage people to consider the effect that excess alcohol consumption has on their health."

The YouGov survey showed that while most women (64 per cent) knew that their recommended daily guidelines are 2-3 units, just half of the men surveyed knew their equivalent guidelines are 3-4 units a day.

Unit awareness also appears to get worse with age: 32 per cent of drinkers aged 18-24 correctly said that a large glass of 12 per cent ABV wine contains three units, compared to just 18 per cent of drinkers over 55. And 69 per cent of drinkers aged 18-24 correctly stated that a pint of 4 per cent ABV beer contains two units, compared to 57 per cent of drinkers over 55.

The poll revealed that more than half (52 per cent) of adult drinkers in England drink alcohol at least two to three times a week, and one in ten drinks every day.

Department of Health

It’s National Tackling Drugs & alcohol Week (19-23 May), which will give concerned Bedfordshire people the chance to find out what is being done to tackle drug & alcohol problems in the county. Two special events, in Bedford and Dunstable, are being organised by the Bedfordshire Drug & Alcohol Action Team (B:DAT) to provide a public focus and answer a range of questions.

B:DAT’s services and partners will be outside Boots in Bedford town centre on Tuesday, 20 May between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm and outside ASDA, Dunstable on Thursday, May 22 between 11.00 and 3.00 pm..

Rachel Volpe, from B:DAT, said, "The concerns of local residents are clear but they may not be aware of the valuable work that is going on in relation to drugs issues. These events will provide an opportunity to find out what is being done or for people to take up a specific issue.

"Whether the concern is around policing drug-related crime, getting treatment for a drug problem or support for those affected by someone else’s drug use, we’ll be able to offer accurate and updated information.

"We’re looking forward to talking to the public and getting their views. There will also be the chance to take part in our quiz and possibly win an I-pod", she said.

Home Office

As part of National Tackling Drugs Week, the Essex Drug and Alcohol Action Team (EDAAT) are joining forces with Essex Drug and Alcohol Partners (EDAP) to raise awareness of the work being done to tackle drugs and reduce drug and alcohol related crime.

The team will be will be visiting schools and town centres with the Community Wheels Bus and the County’s Youth Buses to encourage people to find out about the dangers of drugs, alcohol consumption and the range of help and advice that is available in Essex. There is the chance to try driving as if under the influence of alcohol or drugs using a driving simulator and beer goggles.

Clare Butler, Strategic Manger of Essex DAAT said:

"We have worked in true partnership to organise National Tackling Drugs Week events throughout Essex and raise awareness of the excellent work that is being carried out. We are collaborating with local drug and alcohol reference groups, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, Essex Casualty Reduction Board, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, youth workers and numerous service providers to engage with schools and the general public."

The Community Wheels Bus / Youth Buses will be at the following locations:

Monday 19 May: Basildon Town Centre (all day)

Tuesday 20 May: Market Kings Street, Saffron Walden (all day)

Wednesday 21 May: Plume School, Maldon (morning) Tesco, Clacton (afternoon)

Thursday 22 May: St Peters School Burnham (morning)

Friday 23 May: King Harold Secondary School, Waltham Abbey (all day)

Bishops Park School Clacton (all day)

There will also be members of the EDAP, handing information out and answering any questions the public may have at Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford on Monday 19 May, Eastgate Shopping Centre Basildon from 1pm on Tuesday 20 May along with the Katie Guyton School of Dancing, George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree and Trinity Street Colchester Friday 23 May.

EDAAT and Essex Young People’s & Alcohol Service will be visiting pupils of Sawyers School, Brentwood to deliver a tailored lesson about drug and alcohol misuse on Wednesday 21 May as part of the Princes Trust.

Home Office

The PROMIS Rehabilitation Clinic, Nonington
PROMIS offers extensive experience in treating addictive and compulsive behaviours including alcohol

About us:

Alcoholism Treatment: Alcoholism is an addiction which grows slowly, working to defeat the addict gradually before they realise they have a problem. By the time this is addressed, the problem may have grown into a crisis, seemingly impossible to combat. In order for the treatment programme to produce effective results, it contains a series of areas which the addict must address relating to problems of a physical, emotional and psychological nature.

Alcohol Detox: Detoxification is a medically supervised treatment programme for alcohol addiction designed to purge the body of intoxicating substances. It is usually the first step in overcoming addiction and can occur as part of a planned programme of rehabilitation here at PROMIS.

In order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms, benzodiazepines such as diazepam or chlordiazepoxide have to be prescribed. The type, length and medications used for detoxification are prescribed according to the patients individual specific needs.

The PROMIS Rehabilitation Clinic is a large Victorian house with its coach house, set in three acres of grounds with landscaped gardens and trees surrounded by the rolling farmland and woodland of the North Downs of Kent. The setting offers the peace and tranquility in which to effect successful recovery. It has the capacity to house 43 patients on an in-patient basis, we also have several halfway houses in the nearby village for day/out patient care so the patient can start to adjust to everyday living.

One-to-One Counselling: A range of therapists can be seen to address a range of issues. Although it is common for a patient to work with one main therapist, it is also possible to draw in other specialist help from the wide range of professionals working either for or in association with PROMIS. These sessions can be arranged at times that fit in with the busy lives our patients lead.

Group Therapy: Patients share experiences with other group members alongside highly trained PROMIS counsellors. This therapy leads to an understanding of the common thoughts, feelings and actions that lead to addictive and compulsive behaviour.

Psychodrama: In psychodrama, PROMIS provides a reassuring, understanding and innovative approach to treatment, in which patients re-enact traumatic or confrontational episodes in their lives or prepare themselves for future challenges - real or imagined. Psychodrama provides an added stimulus to the recovery process.

Contact Details:

The PROMIS Rehabilitation Clinic
Pinners Hill
Nonington
Kent
CT15 4LL

Telephone: 01304 841700

Portland Coastguard have been co-ordinating in the wee small hours of this morning a search for two young people who took off from a beach in a dinghy just after 3.00 am this morning with no visible means of propulsion.

A call to the Coastguard from a female, a resident of Wimborne, who was on the beach at Studland near Poole, described the two young friends of hers, a male aged 20 from Verwood and female, 18, from Horton. All three came across to the area by Sandbanks ferry earlier yesterday evening, and had taken a white wooden dinghy from Shell Bay Marine and put to sea around 40 minutes earlier than her call.

In the darkness she had lost sight and sound of them, and was clearly concerned for their safety. She described how she had been shouting for them but had had no answer.

The two Swanage lifeboats, inshore and all weather were asked to launch in the benign conditions and began searching around the south side of Studland using search lights in the darkness. The local Coastguard Rescue Team were also turned out to try and locate the first informant on the beach. It was clear through the conversations that took place that all three young people had clearly been drinking heavily.

Shortly thereafter another call came in to the Coastguard from an entirely unconnected group of lads, also on the beach but further away who identified they could hear shouting coming from seaward side. Using that information and searching in the area at around 4.00 am this morning, the all weather lifeboat crew discovered both missing individuals in the water, with one clinging to a buoy. Seemingly the dinghy had capsized and sank, pitching them both into the 11 degree Celsius water.

An ambulance was called and both people were brought ashore in a poor state with the girl slipping in and out of consciousness and taken to hospital. A Police unit also attended the scene.

The three had clearly been intent on spending sometime on the beach as the Coastguard gathered up clothing, pillows, windbreaks, etc from the beach to hand over to the Police.

Bruce Lack, Watch Manager at Portland Coastguard said

"Drink and stupidity played major parts in this incident with the two young people in serious danger of losing their lives as a result. From taking a boat with no oars to having no lifejackets or means of communication in the darkness in open sea is sheer madness fuelled by drink and bravado.

"We cannot stress enough how dangerous this kind of game can be, and that it is only at this time of year the sea is slightly warming, but not enough to put you beyond danger of severe hypothermia after prolonged immersion. The dulling of the senses by alcohol coupled with the cold shock of unexpectedly plunging into seawater can be a killer.

"We would particularly like to thank the group of Irish lads also on the beach for their public spiritedness in alerting us to the cries of help they heard."

Maritime And Coastguard Agency

What does the phrase ‘binge drinking’ mean to you? Does it make you think of large groups of giddy young women on a hen night fuelled by copious tequila shots? Or beer-swilling football fans drowning their sorrows in the aftermath of an ignominious sporting defeat?

Those examples would certainly seem to fit the mould - but in fact, binge drinking is quite difficult to define. Even the British Medical Association seems to have trouble pinning it down, but tends to use the term to refer to "heavy drinking, often with the intention of getting drunk, over an evening or similar time span", or to "the consumption of more than half the recommended maximum weekly number of alcohol units in a single night".

It’s a tricky one, admits Mat Symington, addictions therapist at Linwood Manor. "Binge drinking can mean so many different things to different people. We tend to use it to define any episode of excessive drinking that has consequences to the drinker’s health and well-being," he says.

But one thing IS clear from his years in practice, he says: the stereotypes of binge drinkers no longer apply. "As licensing laws and social habits have changed, more and more people have got caught up in drinking habits that they consider to be ‘normal’, but which in fact impair their health, careers and family lives." As a consequence, he adds, alcohol abuse is no longer confined to any particular demographic group.

"We’re seeing more and more people coming into treatment who have developed habits through the occasional episode of excessive drinking that have eventually landed them in real trouble with alcohol," he says. "They believe that their habits don’t indicate any underlying problem because they only occur now and then - such as on the odd Friday night after a particularly busy week in the office."

However, such thinking can be dangerous. Alcoholics can be either ‘top-up drinkers’ (that is, they take frequent and regular drinks) or binge drinkers - and, in fact, binge drinking can be the more dangerous form of alcoholism. That’s because binge drinking causes blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly, which puts enormous strain on the body and can, in some cases, lead to diabetes.

And over time, many binge drinkers find that the duration of drinking sessions and the volumes consumed rise, as do the frequency of binges, without the drinker really noticing, says Symington. For some, it eventually develops into serious alcohol addiction that can only be addressed via specialist alcohol help.

The truth is that, in the modern world, very few people are safe from the dangers of alcohol abuse and more people are becoming alcoholic, regardless of their age, sex or social class.

"Many people make the mistake of considering themselves to be somehow ‘immune’ to the risk of becoming alcoholic. But I often find that it’s the ones who say that the odd episode of binge drinking won’t affect them that we end up treating," he says.

The message is clear: binge drinking - in any of its many forms - isn’t something to be dismissed with bravado. It’s a path fraught with risk, but sadly, a well-worn one.

Linwood Manor

The Priory Clinic Nottingham, Nottingham
Residential and day care services offering an abstinence-based therapeutic programme.

About us:

The Priory Clinic Nottingham is a 16-bed facility offering an abstinence-based therapeutic programme for a wide range of substance and behavioural dependencies including alcohol, drugs, gambling, poly-addictions and dual diagnosis. Our residential and daycare services help individuals and their partners and families to recover from the physical and emotional effects of alcohol and drug addiction.

Treatment components: Consultant or medical assessment, Detoxification programme (if necessary), Group therapy, One-to-one therapy, Educational lectures, Holistic activities, Family participation programme, Weekly aftercare for twelve months, Signposting to other support agencies

Therapeutic interventions: First three steps of 12-step programme, Person-centred therapy, Group therapy, Consequences of addiction - educational lectures, Recovery-related workshops, Anger management, Self-esteem, Family breakdown, Relationships, Anxiety

Before discharge a continuing care plan is developed for each patient. Aftercare groups meet weekly at the clinic and can be attended for 12 months. We also offer a more flexible programme involving day care or out-patient treatment which may suit some individuals’ personal circumstances and lifestyle commitments. All patients are expected to attend three AA, NA or other Fellowship meetings per week.

Contact Details:

The Priory Clinic Nottingham
Ransom Road
Nottingham
NG3 5GS

Telephone: 01159 693 388

Alcoholism is a disease. It is chronic, meaning that a sufferer will be afflicted throughout their lifetime. It is progressive, in that it gets steadily worse. And, in many cases, it can be fatal.

And like other chronic, progressive and potentially fatal illnesses, alcoholism is not a matter of choice, says Simon Hill, addictions therapist at Linwood Manor Group. For a start, he says, there’s strong evidence to suggest that the disease may have a genetic basis, as it can often be traced back through generations of family members.

"Nobody sets out to be an alcoholic," he says. "If you’re born with a predisposition to the illness, then the best thing you can do is to learn how to manage it," he says.

So how can a potential sufferer spot the first signs of alcoholism? According to Hill, it’s not that easy. "At first, sufferers simply enjoy the way alcohol makes them feel. They may suffer from low self-esteem, for example, and discover that a drink makes them more confident in social situations. But over time - and that can be a very long period or a very short one - they come to find that they simply can’t do without it."

Another early sign is the inability to stop at just one drink. An alcoholic may justify their drinking by saying that they don’t drink very often - but when they do, they find that "just one drink" quickly develops into a binge.

As a progressive disease, signs and symptoms of alcoholism worsen over time. While in its early stages, alcoholism tends to present as an emotional dependence on drink, eventually sufferers cross the line into chemical dependency. It’s at that point, says Hill, that they will start to experience withdrawal symptoms when they don’t drink. In effect, they have to drink to feel ‘normal’.

To complicate the issue, one of the major symptoms of alcohol dependency is denial. "An alcoholic will go to extraordinary lengths to cover up their illness," he says. "Even after they’ve admitted they have a problem, they will still say that it hasn’t affected their family life, or argue they can go days or even weeks without a drink."

Because of this denial, many people only enter an alcohol rehabilitation programme after their drinking has brought on some kind of crisis: an accident; a divorce; a dismissal from work. "When we receive calls at Linwood, they’re usually from an alcoholic in a crisis situation who’s been forced to confront their problem, or from a friend or relative who’s been caught up in that crisis," says Hill.

The message is clear: if you’re worried about your drinking, take action now. The World Health Organisation has developed a ‘test’ for alcohol dependency, which is posted on the Alcoholics Anonymous UK website at:

http://www.aa-uk.org.uk/publications/areyou.htm

This may enable you to confirm a problem - but only qualified, experienced professionals will be able to tailor an alcohol rehab programme to match your condition.

Linwood Manor

Two of London’s leading substance misuse providers have announced they are in formal merger discussions. Rugby House and ARP, who together have over 60 years experience providing alcohol and drug services in the capital, will unite to form one of the largest alcohol service providers in the UK and a major presence in the provision of drug services in London.

Speaking of the merger, Paul Jenkins (Chair designate of the new organisation) said “This merger proposal provides Rugby House and ARP with a great opportunity. Combining resources and experience will enable us to strengthen and extend our highly respected services, which can only benefit service users and other stakeholders”.

The new organisation will provide alcohol and drug services to over 6,500 people a year across London with a revenue turnover of more than £11m across a range of community treatment and residential settings.

The merger discussions take place against a background of increasing public awareness and concern about the harm caused by alcohol misuse and continuing misuse of drugs.

ARP

Prinsted: Horley
Prinsted delivers secondary care treatment to those suffering from the illness of addiction

About us:

Prinsted is a private second-stage residential treatment centre in Horley, Surrey. Founded and independently run by Brian Ballantyne and Caitilin Prinsep, the programme is rooted in the 12- Step abstinence based model. This has been developed over many years experience into a fully integrated, lovingly delivered programme of therapeutic care to individuals and their families whose lives have been blighted by the illness of addiction.

In recent years primary treatment in the UK has followed the American model and become a shorter, more intense experience. Often only lasting 28 days, this seldom gives people time to process being chemically free, or to make effective choices about their new life. Going on to secondary treatment can benefit people by:

* Giving extra time to make choices about the future.
* Having the time and opportunity to heal historic wounds.
* Having the opportunity to live in a community.
* Learning to put the theory of the 12step programme into practice.
* Gaining social and living skills.
* Learning about boundaries.
* Further education about nature of the illness.
* Money management.
* Learning about cross addiction.

It is especially helpful for people who:

* Continually relapse.
* Have little or no support system.
* Have broken or damaged relationships.
* Need to relocate because of dangerous environments.
* Need to gain independence from parents or family.
* Want time to consolidate recovery.
* Want to learn about themselves.

We aim to provide the highest quality of care to enable residents to maintain abstinence from their addictive bahaviours and to provide all of our clients with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

We offer an opportunity to live as part of a healthy functioning family with firm boundaries, enabling people to learn to trust and develop a healthier self-concept. We aim to provide the highest quality post-primary addiction and dependency treatment, promoting honesty, openness, creativity and meaningful relationships with others.

The aim is to guide clients through the treatment process towards a time when they can live independently from their addiction, support themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually and find a way to live that brings fulfilment and reward. Residential stays range from 3 to 6 months. Shorter periods may be considered for people who have had some time in recovery but who struggle with personal issues and need more intensive help.

The therapeutic programme consists of a mixture of group therapy, workshops, one-to-one counselling, voluntary service in the community and activities such as yoga and art. As the programme develops more complimentary therapies will be added. Attendance at Fellowship meetings and family involvement are requirements. Residents are also expected to complete written assignments and read literature provided by the therapeutic staff.

We place great emphasis in translating the 12-step programme from theory into practice and using tried and tested tools/therapies we help people gain a deeper spiritual understanding and a greater connection with others. We promote standards and values and adherence to a set of principles that have largely been lost in active addiction.

Contact Details:

Prinsted
Oldfield Road
Horley
Surrey
RH6 7EP

Telephone: 01293 825400