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The Clifton Clinic Blog

The anti social effects of alcohol abuse

Let’s face it; Britons have something of a reputation when it comes to alcohol, and it can be easy to laugh off incidents of drunken behaviour, seeing them as simply part of the culture. However, if you’ve been involved in accidents or have suffered injuries because of your drinking, now’s the time to take action. You could be doing yourself, your loved ones and your community much more harm than you realise.

Luckily, it’s now easier than ever to take advantage of alcohol rehab programmes that can help you tackle your problem.

The strong stuff

Experts often suggest that super-strength booze has a lot to answer for when it comes to incidents of alcohol-related violence and disorder. The trouble is, it’s now so easy for consumers to get hold of very strong beers, ciders and other beverages.

One town in East Anglia has tried to curb these incidents by running a special alcohol initiative. Last September, Suffolk police launched an experiment after becoming concerned about the behaviour or drinkers who were intoxicated by super-strength beers and ciders.

Launched in Ipswich, the campaign initially saw 53 shops sign up to a pledge to stop selling such drinks. Now, 80 are signed up, equating to 65 per cent of the town’s stores.

Stats

According to Suffolk police, there has been a 49 per cent fall in so-called ‘street drinker events’. A total of 94 of these events were reported during the six months from the start of the campaign, compared with 191 during the same period a year earlier.

Meanwhile, for the year to the end of February 2013, crime in Ipswich was down by 14 per cent, while anti-social behaviour had dropped by 19 per cent.

First of its kind

Commenting on the scheme, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Newcomb said: “Six months have passed since we launched our campaign, which is the first of its kind in the UK. It is important that we now look at its effect and gauge how successful it has been in achieving the results we originally hoped for.

“Our aims at the outset were clear; significant problems associated with the sale and consumption of these drinks, for both individuals and communities had been identified, and we wanted to specifically address these. We wanted to reduce the number of stores selling these products, therefore limiting the availability of these drinks to those who are vulnerable, and to reduce the amount of crime and anti social behaviour occurring in and around off-licensed premises in the town.”

He added that “clear improvements” have been made and the campaign is helping make Ipswich a safer town. He also noted that a “significant number of police forces and public sector agencies” across Britain have been in touch to discuss the campaign.

Spotting a problem

Because of the drinking culture in the UK, it can be hard to know when you’ve crossed a line. However, if you suspect you have a problem, it could be time to seek help. The sooner you do this, the easier it may be to tackle the issue.

To find out more about alcohol rehab Cheshire, alcohol detox Yorkshire and other similar services, just take a look around our website.

Posted on May 22, 2013 at 12:50 pm - In the category Uncategorised

Choosing the right path to combat alcohol abuse

If you want to combat your drinking problem, it’s really important that you take the right approach. After all, there are many different forms of alcohol abuse and when it comes to treatments; it’s not a case of one size fits all.

As long as you do your research concerning alcohol detox and think carefully about exactly what it is you’re trying to achieve, you should be able to maximise your chances of success.

Hazardous

If you’ve suffered an alcohol-related accident or injury and this is what’s caused you to re-evaluate your relationship with drink, you may simply require some advice and guidance on how to keep your consumption levels under control. For example, the NHS notes that keeping a ‘drinking diary’ to record how many units of booze you drink a week can help.

Also, you might want to seek tips on social drinking. For example, alternating soft drinks with alcoholic beverages when you’re out with friends and family might help you avoid similar problems in the future.

Harmful

On the other hand, if you’re consuming harmful amounts of alcohol, a more concerted effort may be required. Firstly, you’ll have to decide whether you want to reduce your intake of drink or give it up all together.

Of course, abstinence will have greater health benefits, but it’s important to be realistic and moderation may be a more obtainable goal.

That said, if you’re suffering from certain medical problems, giving up the drink might be necessary. For instance, abstinence is strongly recommended if you:

• Have liver damage
• Suffer from medical issues that can be made worse by drink, such as heart disease
• Are taking medication that can react badly with alcohol, such as antipsychotics
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

The NHS also notes that abstinence may be required if you’ve previously attempted to limit your intake and have failed.

Dependent

If you’re dependent on alcohol, abstinence may be your only option. Whatever your level of dependency, it’s recommended that you spend a period of time free from alcohol so that your body can recover from its effects.

How and where you go through this process will depend on your level of dependency. Mild cases are easier to deal with, but if your alcohol consumption levels are high or you’ve previously experienced withdrawal symptoms, you might require assistance and/or medication.

The worst period for such symptoms is the first 48 hours. Following this, your body should gradually begin to adjust. Generally, people can recover from this phase within three to seven days of their last drink.

Support is crucial

Whichever category you fall into and whether you’re simply trying to cut down on your alcohol intake or you want to completely kick the habit, it’s important that you have plenty of support. For example, putting your friends and family in the picture can help, and you might also benefit from arranging an alcohol detox Cheshire or alcohol rehab Yorkshire.

Thankfully, there is plenty of support available as long as you know where to look

Posted on May 22, 2013 at 12:49 pm - In the category Uncategorised

Addiction may be more common that you think

Addiction can be an isolating experience and sometimes you might feel very alone in your struggle against drugs or alcohol.

However, in reality, lots of people around the UK and elsewhere across the globe suffer problems like this. Also, there is plenty of support out there to help you kick the habit. As long as you know where to look, it’s simple to find alcohol and drug detox programmes.

Interesting stats

Highlighting just how widespread addiction is in Britain, the NHS notes that approximately two million individuals around the country have an addiction of some kind.

It defines addition as not having control over doing, taking or using something, to the point where it can be harmful to you. Most commonly, it is associated with drugs, alcohol, nicotine and gambling, but there are lots of other forms too.

The organisation stated: “Whatever a person is addicted to, they can’t control how they use it, and they may become dependent on it to get through daily life.”

Why addictions begin

Tracing the origins of your addiction might be tricky. Often, addiction grows from a controllable and enjoyable habit into something entirely different and this process can be gradual.

According to the NHS, there are many reasons why additions start. For example, drugs and alcohol affect the way you feel, both on a physical and mental level. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a “powerful urge” to use the substances again and this can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.

The come down

The organisation also drew attention to the ‘come down’ that follows a substance high. Because this can be unpleasant, it’s easier to carry on drinking or taking drugs.

Triggers

Some studies suggest that addiction is to partially genetic. However, environmental factors also play an important role. For example, being brought up by an addict can increase the risk.

Also, addiction can be a way of trying to block out difficult issues. For example, people often start drinking or using drugs more heavily if they lose their jobs or suffer financial hardship. Stress, emotional complications and pressure at work are also common triggers.

Enough is enough

If your addiction is getting in the way of your personal and professional lives, and undermining your health, it’s time to take action. It’s important to realise that there is plenty of help out there. All you have to do is reach out and take it.

The first stage is admitting your problem to yourself. Once you’ve reached this point, you can start planning a route out of addiction. For example, you might opt to take advantage of an alcohol or drug detox Cheshire or an alcohol or drug detox Yorkshire.

It won’t be easy, but it’s worth it

Tackling addiction is never easy, but the results are more than worth it. The stronger your addiction, the more difficult it will be to combat, but the greater the rewards will be too.

There is no quick fix when it comes to addiction. Once you commit yourself to facing up to the problem, you’re in it for the long haul. However, with friends, family and experts on your side, you stand a good chance of beating your addiction and dramatically improving your life.

Posted on May 22, 2013 at 12:48 pm - In the category Uncategorised

Could drug safe houses provide a first step towards rehab?

Following on from the announcement by Brighton’s public health leaders that they will be considering a proposal to provide official drug consumption rooms where addicts can take heroin or crack under medical supervision, a national radio phone-in show has gauged public opinion on the idea.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the show uncovered polarised views on the matter. A number of callers to the Radio 5 Live programme expressed outrage at the idea and said that addicts did not merit such attention and use of public funds, whilst others saw it as a perfectly sensible step to move drug taking off the streets and help reduce levels of criminality.

It’s certainly encouraging to see a debate about the issue and the fact that the provision of ‘safe houses’ is being considered shows some will to tackle addiction in general. It has been claimed that providing medically supervised facilities could significantly reduce overdose death rates among more than 2,000 addicted heroin and crack users in Brighton. Judging by the experiences of other countries who have gone down a similar route this may well be the case, and this is certainly a desirable goal. However, if real progress is to be made the facilities also need to offer much more than just medical supervision.

The provision of ‘safe houses’ should only be the first step towards providing addicts with the treatment that they need. If these consumption rooms can become a route through which addicts are encouraged to access long-term rehab treatment then, rather than just moving drug taking away from the public eye, they might become something which can really make a significant impact upon the number of people suffering from addiction to these drugs.

Posted on April 19, 2013 at 1:03 pm - In the category Uncategorised

What does the term ‘addiction’ mean?

Looking through papers and magazine nowadays one sees the word ‘addiction’ used repeatedly. Whether it’s politicians accusing a rival party of having an ‘addiction to welfare’ or newspaper claims that people are suffering from an ‘addiction to their smartphones’ or that there is a an epidemic of ‘web addiction’ it’s a term that is increasingly being used in a wide variety of different contexts. It’s certainly being used a lot, but what is the real definition of ‘addiction’?

The dictionary definition of ‘addiction’ varies and can range from one which specifically references a strong need to continue taking an addictive substance such as ‘a compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance’ to something much looser such as ‘a compulsive habit that people obtain through repetition’.

So, which is correct?

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has recently revised its medical definition of the term ‘addiction’ which highlights that addiction is a chronic brain disorder and not simply a behavioural problem involving too much alcohol, drugs, gambling etc.

The new definition is the result of an intensive, four-year process with more than 80 experts contributing, including top addiction authorities, addiction medicine clinicians and leading neuroscience researchers. Their conclusions form the basis of the definition which describes addiction as a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. The definition states that addiction is characterised by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response.

The full revised definition, which can be read here – http://www.asam.org/research-treatment/definition-of-addiction – includes mention of some types of behaviour such as gambling, spending or eating which may, when engaged in to a certain degree, be considered to be symptomatic of an addiction. As the definition points out though, whilst some believe that it is the quantity or frequency of the behaviour (whether it is drug use, alcohol use, gambling or whatever) that defines it as an addiction, it is also the individual’s preoccupation or obsession with the substance or activity and their pursuit of it despite the accumulation of adverse consequences that characterises it as such.

If we are to take this definition as being correct then this means that there could actually be more truth in saying that someone is ‘addicted’ to using their smartphone or has an ‘addiction’ to a certain TV programme than we might have previously realised. If the behaviour is extreme and manifests itself in such a way that could be considered to be an inability to consistently abstain or an impairment in behavioral control then it may well be an ‘addiction’ according to this definition.

Posted on April 2, 2013 at 4:16 pm - In the category Uncategorised

What are the alternatives to a minimum price on alcohol?

It’s still unclear whether the Government has finally decided to drop its policy of setting a minimum price per unit on alcohol, although this now does seem to be likely to be the case. In the past week or so though David Cameron has again come out and stated his intention to tackle the problem of the availability of cheap alcohol, saying, “Be in no doubt, we’ve got to deal with the problem of having 20p or 25p cans of lager available in supermarkets. It’s got to change.”

So how, exactly, could this be tackled if the policy of a minimum price per unit of alcohol is ditched? What other measures might the government take in order to ensure that alcohol is not sold as cheaply on our high streets?

Well, on the eve of a budget, one obvious measure would be to universally raise the duty on alcohol by much more than the rate of inflation. However, this wouldn’t actually impact greatly upon the price of ’20p or 25p cans of lager’ that the Prime Minister talks about and would actually be likely to raise the price of a more expensive bottle of wine or pint of real ale by a far greater margin instead. This is exactly the sort of result that those opposing a minimum price per unit were concerned about as it would potentially affect the moderate and occasional drinker to a greater degree than the problem drinkers that the government wants to target. A more targeted approach would be to raise the tax by a much higher amount on just certain types of drinks, but again, unless the level of taxation on beers is raised massively this is not going to have much impact upon the price of those cheap cans of lager on the supermarket shelves that David Cameron has mentioned.

So, what other measures could be taken to tackle the problem? There seems to be little else that can be done to affect the availability of cheap alcohol in the shops other than by introducing minimum pricing or raising the level of tax, so perhaps more radical ideas might be considered that don’t directly affect the price itself, but the way that alcohol is marketed and sold instead.

If one looks at how the legislation on the sale of cigarettes was introduced over a number of years perhaps this gives us a pointer as to one possible direction that legislation might go in the future. Firstly, there were increased restrictions upon the advertising and promotion of cigarettes and brands. This was followed by ever larger health warnings placed on the packets. Finally, legislation was introduced to stop them from being displayed overtly so that sellers have to keep them hidden from view altogether.

Could we eventually see these sort of measures applied to alcohol too? Well, imposing the same sort of restrictions as these on alcohol may seem extreme. However, we have already seen legislation on ‘irresponsible drinks promotions’ and there have previously been calls from some quarters to further restrict the way that alcohol can be advertised, particularly where such adverts may be seen by children. Perhaps then, ministers might look at imposing further restrictions on the way that alcohol is promoted and marketed and we might see more prominent health warnings appearing on bottles and cans in the future… or then again, maybe they’ll just kick the whole idea of tackling problem drinking and the availability of cheap alcohol into touch.

Posted on March 19, 2013 at 7:06 pm - In the category Uncategorised

Could a wristband save the lives of young drinkers?

We read today about a new initiative which takes quite an innovative and subtle approach to making young drinkers aware of the danger that they might be putting themselves in when getting drunk on a night out.

Like most major cities, Cardiff has its fair share of young revelers out on the streets on most nights. However, the popularity of the city’s universities means that it does have also have a higher than usual proportion of students who venture into the city centre on a regular basis. It is these young people in particular that the initiative is aimed at as they often don’t consider the danger that they are placing themselves in by being out on the streets in a drunken state.

The Student Safety Bus in Cardiff is being manned by volunteers and police and it will be on the look out for young drinkers who are clearly the worse for wear and in need of assistance. It will offer them the help that they need, look after them and make sure that they get home safely, but will also involve the drinker having a bright yellow wristband slipped onto their wrist with message ‘How did you get home?’ printed on it.

The hope is that when the young drinker wakes up in the morning with quite possibly little or no recollection of the night before and they see the wristband they will then realise just how vulnerable they really were and the potential danger that they were putting themselves in by being in such a state. To make the wristbands more interactive they also contain a QR code, which can be scanned by a smartphone to give more details of how the wearer got home.

The wristbands cost just 15p each and it is hoped that they could prove to be a cost-effective way of helping to reduce the number of students and other young people who drink to excess during a night out in the city. It will certainly be money well spent if it can help to lower the number who end up in A&E or find themselves the victim of a robbery or sexual attack.

If the initiative proves to be effective we may see it being adopted by other cities around the UK too.

Posted on March 4, 2013 at 5:52 pm - In the category Uncategorised

What should you tell your children about drugs?

A new study has contradicted the idea that having an honest discussion with your children about drugs and your own experiences of them can help to steer them away from experimenting with drugs themselves.

The study looked at drug surveys filled out by high school students in the USA. These surveys asked about the conversations that students had previously had with their parents as well as the students’ own attitudes and experiences of drug usage.

The conclusion from the data is that parents should think carefully before they open up to their children about their own experiences of drugs, even if those experiences are negative and they believe that talking about them to their children will actually put them off trying drugs.

The phrase ”…but my parents turned out OK” seems to be one that the students used time and again with the implication that, despite what they were being told about drugs being harmful, their parents had survived them. There is also the unspoken thought that parents who had themselves dabbled with drugs would be less disapproving of their children doing the same thing, despite whatever warnings the parents may have actually given their children about taking drugs.

Whether the data in the survey is to be regarded as definitive or not, the central recommendation of Jennifer Kam, the study’s co-author, is certainly a sensible one. She says that parents should primarily focus on talking to their kids about the negative consequences of drug use and how to avoid offers of drugs from others rather than trying to be open about their own past experiences.

In focusing on explaining the dangers in an entirely factual way and helping to equip youngsters with the necessary strength to avoid peer pressure, parents are avoiding any danger of giving mixed messages to their children.

Posted on February 25, 2013 at 11:57 am - In the category Uncategorised

Looking into the faces of addiction

A little while ago we came across a remarkably compelling series of images on the photo sharing website Flikr.

It’s a collection of photos that have been taken by writer and photogrpaher Chris Arnade, in which he seeks to tell the stories of addicts in the Hunts Point neighborhood of New York City. Hunts Point is in the South Bronx and is a very poor area that is also considered to be a “Red Light District” by many due to its crime and prostitution problems.

Arnade started taking the photos in 2011 and has been adding images of addicts from the area ever since. At the time of writing there are 159 photos in the set and they cover a number of addicts from the neighbourhood, some of whom appear in multiple photos.

It’s obvious to see from the surroundings that many of those depicted live in very poor conditions and that the majority are also involved in other activities such as prostitution and crime. This is confirmed when you start to read some of the stories that go along with the photos. Some of the descriptions are very powerful and give a glimpse into how living in the area and becoming addicted to drugs has completely changed the lives of those involved. The addicts’ stories also help to show how addiction can dramatically change the course of someone’s life over a relatively short period of time. For example, one addict pictured was a professional boxer who is now a homeless heroin addict, whilst another was a high school English teacher who became addicted to cocaine.

The stories also include some incredibly insightful comments from some of the addicts themselves too. 38 year old Egypt says of her addiction, “I’m a Cancer. You scrape us off and we come right back. But we’re curable. It’s only as hard as you make it. If you think you can change, if you know you can change, you can. If you set your mind to something, that’s what’s going to happen. You have to want it. You can’t have someone else want it for you.”

The set of images can be found on Flickr, here – http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnade/sets/72157627894114489/

Posted on February 7, 2013 at 5:44 pm - In the category Uncategorised

Have we really lost the war on drugs?

A poll in the Daily Mirror suggests that a large majority of the British public believe that the Government has lost its battle against drug usage in Britain.

At first the findings appear to be quite shocking with 75% of those questioned saying that the fight against drugs has been lost. However, when one thinks about how success in the fight against drugs might be measured, this headline percentage is perhaps not that surprising.

After all, what, in the view of many of those responding to the survey, would constitute ‘success’, or ‘victory’ against drugs? A virtual end to drug use? That is surely a Utopian ideal that could never be achieved by any Government or anti-drug campaign, however effective it might be.

More realistic aims, surely, are to see overall drug usage decline and the harm being done by drugs, in terms of the number of drug related deaths, being reduced. If we can see that the number of lives being blighted by drug abuse and addiction is coming down then it certainly wouldn’t be true to say that the battle against drugs has been lost.. not necessarily won either, but at least ‘ongoing’.

Other figures that came out of the survey include 29% of respondents saying that they had used drugs at some point in their lives. Of the drugs involved, cannabis was by far the most popular with 94% of those who admitted drug taking saying that they had used it.

Amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine were the next most taken drugs. Between 30-40% of those who said that they had used drugs listed one of these.

Posted on January 29, 2013 at 2:59 pm - In the category Uncategorised
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