Calls for submissions on alcohol treatment to highlight issues and barriers

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse is calling for submissions that will help the future development of alcohol treatment. The main aims are:

1. To draw together views on what the impact of recent policy developments has been on the alcohol treatment system.
2. To explore the challenges that practitioners within the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector face in achieving alcohol treatment’s potential.
3. To identify what practical steps can be taken to widen access to alcohol treatment programmes and place the system on a more stable, sustainable footing.

Lynda Waltho, chair of the Group is inviting submissions, giving a series of guidance questions including:

• What has been the impact of recent policy developments on the alcohol treatment system?
• What are the challenges for practitioners, policy makers, the NHS and other stakeholders in achieving alcohol treatment’s potential?
• What actions need to be taken to widen access to alcohol treatment programmes and place the system on a more stable, sustainable footing?

The call for evidence contains further information and guidance on responding to the above questions and can be found here.

The deadline for responses is Monday 3rd November 2008. Please send them via email to appginquiry@alcoholconcern.org.uk or to Nicolay Sorensen, Alcohol Concern, 64 Leman Street, Aldgate, London E1 8EU.

Comments

[Alcohol Treatment]

It is nice to know that a lot of people are now aware of the increasing rate of alcoholic addiction cases in the world. This would also add the possibility for a lot of people suffering from serious addictions to recover.

[teen alcohol treatment]

Its a good idea,submissions that will help the future development of alcohol treatment.

by:dick

[jonathan chick]

I work in NHS Scotland, and policy has been different, and your enquiry relates to England?
However, there would be greater take-up of treatment fo alcohol problems in UK generally if:
1. There were shorter waiting times to see a specialist
2. There was a wider range of treatments offered - e.g. many agencies do not offer Antabuse, which some alcohol dependent people find very helpful; many agencies do not know how effectively to link patients with Alcoholics Anonymous.

3. UK needs more research on cost- effective treatments - the medicine 'baclofen' is one area meriting further investigation