Warning as 600k ‘addicts slip through net’ – 9 signs your loved one is at risk

THOUSANDS of Brits with drinking problems could be slipping through the net when it comes to treatment, a health body has warned.

There are around 602,391 adults with alcohol dependencies that need treatment in England, data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) states.

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The figures are from 2018-2019, so the true number of those in need could be much higher, with previous reports having stated that the Covid pandemic led to alcohol abuse.

Data from the British Liver Trust in December 2022 revealed that there has been a rise in alcohol related liver disease deaths – something they say had been exacerbated by the pandemic.

There were 107,428 people in treatment for alcohol in 2020 to 2021, the OHID added.

Now the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said that thousands of people every year could be missing out on help and support to curb problem drinking, or a potential referral on specialist services.

It has called on health bodies to ensure people’s drinking habits are correctly recorded to make sure those in need are getting help.

Logging information properly will also mean that patients are not repeatedly asked about their drinking habits, Nice suggested.

In order to help patients, health professionals should use a validated questionnaire to ensure the information on how much and how often people drink is appropriately logged, according to Nice’s new draft quality standard.

This standard sets out improvements for care of adults with alcohol problems.

Dr Paul Chrisp, director of the Centre for Guidelines at Nice said people are not receiving the support they need.

“Many of us are asked about our alcohol use when we interact with health services, but if an appropriate questionnaire is not used, people with alcohol problems could be slipping through the net and may not be receiving the support they need.

“We know a large number of people who are dependent on alcohol are not receiving treatment and this could be for a variety of reasons.

“But as part of a health and care system that continually learns from data, we do know that using a validated questionnaire provides commissioners with the information they need to organise appropriate services.”

Is your loved one at risk?

It can be hard to live with someone who is dependent on alcohol and if you’re worried about your loved one there are things you can do.

Alcohol dependence affects different people in different ways, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that if your loved one is dependent then they might have started to drink every day.

They might also reach for booze first thing in the morning, or in the evening, guidance states.

According to the HSE, signs of alcohol dependence may include:

1. not being able to function without alcohol – for example, not being able to do your job or carry out daily tasks
2. drinking has become an important, or the most important, thing in life
3. continuing to drink despite negative consequences for you or your loved ones
4. finding it difficult to control the amount or the times when you drink
5. finding it difficult to stop drinking when you want to
6. not always being able to plan with certainty how much you are going to drink on an occasion
7. drinking increasing amounts of alcohol
8. craving alcohol or having withdrawal symptoms
9. not seeming to be drunk after drinking large amounts.

The experts state that some people might not be completely dependent on alcohol, but may indulge in harmful patterns of alcohol use.

This could include periods of binge drinking followed by restrictions.

Sometimes, discussing the issue with your loved one is enough.

However, they might also need professional help, so it’s key that you encourage them to speak to their GP about the feelings they are having.

They’ll be able to discuss the services and treatments available after assessing drinking habits by using screening tests. 

Treatment usually involves counselling and medicine that helps you to slowly cut down on drinking and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

There are also a number of charities, support groups, and private clinics to help.