Alcohol Addiction & Treatment
Author: Ian Wheeler, Patient Services Manager

Harrogate Clinic Responds to Increase in Excessive Drinking

'Alcohol abuse treatment programmes save a lot more money than they cost to run, research has found.' BBC News Website.

We all know that excessive drinking is a problem in Britain today. The newspapers are full of stories about binge-drinking, drunken youngsters piling onto the streets causing havoc and the potential health problems associated with drink. Recent changes in the law allowing longer opening hours can only add to the problems.

In many ways, alcohol is the most dangerous drug of all but it is also the most socially acceptable. We've all been encouraged to 'have another' before returning home for the night, particularly when we are out on the town with our colleagues. And the pubs don't help with all their special offers and ever increasing range of alcopops and mixers. Even glasses of wine are getting bigger.

The BBC News website reported recently that ' A trend by pubs to serve wine in bigger glasses is hiding price rises and could lead to increased health and drink-driving risks. The 175ml glass is being brought in to replace the standard 125ml measure - the basis for a unit of alcohol.'

Women in particular are vulnerable to drinking in excessive amounts. CT pictures of more than 150 volunteers' brains revealed how women come to more harm than men when drinking heavily. The Government is aware things need to change and in 2004 published the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England .

Their aim is to 'build professional consensus and put in place key building blocks to optimise the future development of alcohol treatment.'

Cygnet Healthcare has a key role to play in assisting those whose lives are affected by alcohol. Harrogate Clinic has recently revamped START (Strategies & Treatment for Alcohol Rehabilitation and Therapy), its successful alcohol Detox and Therapy programme. The previous all-inclusive 12 day programme was popular but somewhat lacking in flexibility.

The new programme offers a 7 day physical alcohol detoxification with the option of continuing on to a 10 day programme of intensive therapy. The two stages are available separately or as a complete package, meaning that those who do not want or are not ready to undertake a full detox and therapy programme are not obliged to undertake both parts of the programme.

Harrogate 's Director of Clinical Services Malcolm Carr is optimistic about the changes: 'Nearly 30 years in psychiatry and the addictions fields and it's still the simple changes that impress me the most!' says Malcolm. 'This new format gives patients the chance to take control and choose the programme which is right for them.'

The START programme offers a fixed price which comprehensively covers every aspect of treatment therapy. The detox is intended to have the minimum physical discomfort and takes place in a pleasant, safe environment, with a consultant medical specialist prescribing suitable medication to minimise alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The ten day therapeutic programme comprises relaxation techniques, stress management and assertiveness training to equip the patient with the skills they will need for a new, alcohol-free lifestyle. All patients stay in comfortable, private en-suite rooms.

Patients work with their consultant medical specialist to tailor a treatment plan, following assessment of their alcohol dependence and a named nurse is appointed to support them through their care and treatment programme.

The START programme is available at Cygnet Hospital Harrogate North Yorkshire and Isham House Northamptonshire.