New figures highlight the shocking lack of services for problem-drinkers

14th February 2006

New figures highlight the shocking lack of services for problem-drinkers

As deaths from alcoholic liver disease continue to rise, new figures released today by the Department of Health show that the overwhelming majority of problem-drinkers are not getting the help they need.

Leading charity Alcohol Concern today expressed dismay at the postcode lottery in provision of services for problem-drinkers, as new figures obtained through Parliament highlight the shocking situation across the country.

Figures released today in a written response from the Public Health Minister show that, across England, only a tiny proportion of those who need help for an alcohol problem obtain the support they need - roughly 1 in 18 problem-drinkers are able to access treatment services.

Geethika Jayatilaka, Alcohol Concern?s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

?In recent weeks we have seen the issue of problem-drinking hit the headlines again and again, yet the reality is that the vast majority of those with a drink problem cannot access any treatment at all. Alcohol misuse is one of the biggest public health problems facing this country, killing 22,000 people every year - Government has to make alcohol services the priority they so urgently need to be.?

The charity pointed out the worrying regional variations in availability in treatment, with fewer than 1 in 100 problem-drinkers accessing support services in some parts of the country.

Ms Jayatilaka added:

?Every single pound spent on treating people with alcohol problems saves five pounds in the public purse. That means less damage to children?s lives, less people dying from a host of alcohol-related health problems, and less money lost to the economy through absenteeism and reduced productivity.?

Figures released today showed that across England an average of just 1 in 18 people with a drink problem access alcohol treatment services.

That figure varied widely across the regions (figures rounded to the nearest whole number):

§ East Midlands - 1 in 16
§ Eastern - 1 in 31
§ London - 1 in 13
§ North East - 1 in 102
§ North West - 1 in 12
§ South East - 1 in 20
§ South West - 1 in 14
§ West Midlands - 1 in 15
§ Yorkshire and Humber - 1 in 46

ENDS



Notes to Editors:

§ For all enquiries, please contact the Alcohol Concern Press Office on 020 7928 7377 or email press@alcoholconcern.org.uk. For out of hours press enquiries, please contact Helen Symons, Press and Parliamentary Officer, on 07866 063 013.

§ New figures were released today in a response to a Parliamentary Question by Kelvin Hopkins MP.

§ The UK Alcohol Treatment Trial, results of which were published in the BMJ in September, showed that every £1 spent on treating people with alcohol problems saved £5 in spending on the criminal justice system and other aspects of health and social care.

§ Alcohol misuse kills around 22,000 people and costs the UK economy £18 billion each year.

Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. We work to reduce the incidence and cost of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems and their families.

Date: 14 February 2006