Alcohol Awareness Week July 3rd - July 9th
How to access support?
You can get free and confidential help through the GP surgery, local approved treatment provider or contacting a local community alcohol support service. Alcohol support or treatment: hospital alcohol liaison services, social services, mental health services and probation service. Probation Service have services including liaison and diversion services, prisons, community rehab providers.
The NHS:
They provide a national and local service directory postcode search function. Alcohol addiction support for family and friends, and treatment. Services for offenders, homeless people, minority ethnic groups and young people. There is also services of counselling for alcohol addiction.
Treatment:
Access to alcohol treatment can be scary but it supports and works for many people. There is a structured alcohol treatment service that is delivered by a recovery care plan following a full assessment of your needs. Local community support services or groups, offer informal support and run by those with direct experience of alcohol problems. Services include peer support, social meetings, workshops and practical help with housing and employment.
Support groups can be in collaboration with structured treatment.
Moderation v Abstinence:
Regularly drinking more than 14 units per week. Experiencing health problems directly linked to alcohol. Unable to function without alcohol (alcohol dependency).
Moderation is a realistic goal and first step to cutting alcohol out of your life.
Abstinence is recommended in specific circumstances. Have liver damage (live disease or cirrhosis), other medical problems (heart disease), taking medication react badly with alcohol, pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Medication:
Medications to support and treat alcohol misuse: acamprosate, disulfira, naltrexone, nalmefene.
ACAMPROSATE: Prevent a relapse in people who have successfully achieved abstinence. Combination with counselling and reducing alcohol cravings. Affecting the levels of a chemical in the brain into not wanting the alcohol. It can last up to 6 months.
DISULFIRAM: Trying to achieve abstinence but concerned you may relapse or had previous relapse. Physical reactions if you drink alcohol will be made - nausea, chest pain, vomiting, dizziness. Experiencing unpleasant reactions when coming into contact with the medication is important to help maintain abstinence.
NALTREXONE: Prevent a limit and relapse the amount of alcohol drunk. It blocks opiod receptors in the body and stopping the effects of alcohol. It stops painkillers being active including morphine and codeine. If the medication makes you feel ill then you should seek advice from GP and careteams.
NALMEFENE: Prevent a relapse or limit the amount of alcohol someone drinks. Blocking opioid receptors in the brain which reduces cravings for alcohol. It should be only be taken if you are recieving support to help reduce alcohol intake.
Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms:
Alcohol dependency needs medical assistance to help manage withdrawal. Prescribed medication can help achieve abstinence, or attend help groups and undertake cognitive behaviour therapy. Through detoxing at home you should regularly see a nurse or healthcare professional for updates.
Withdrawal symptoms will be at their worse for the first 48 hours. It will gradually improve as the body begins to adjust - 3 to 7 days after your last drink. Sleep will be disturbed, however you will begin to create a sleeping pattern. The appetite levels will return gradually so try to eat regular meals even if not hungry.
Local Addiction Services:
SOLIHULL: Our Trust is responsible for the delivery of drug and alcohol services for residents through 'Solihull Integrated Addiction Services'.
BIRMINGHAM: Change Grow Live is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults and affected others in Birmingham.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Narco and Aquarius in Recovery Near you provides drug and alcohol services to the local residents.
Birmingham:
3186 people are accessing alcohol treatment services
55% were referred into treatment through the Criminal Justice System
Outreach services contacted over 7000 drug users - providing advice, information and brief interventions
Birmingham treatment services have reduced the sharing of needles over 50% since 2008/2009
Until the next Legal Thought,
Elicia Maxwell
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