Yet experts reveal third of treatment services have closed
Public Health England has revealed the number of adults living across West Midlands classified as alcohol-dependent and in need of specialist treatment, as addiction treatment experts reveal a 30% closure rate of rehab facilities available to treat them.
The figures reveal that on average, a rate of 13 per thousand adults living here are dependent on alcohol.
The specific number of adults living across West Midlands dependent on alcohol is reported at 62,570 in 2017/18, only slightly lower than figures from seven years ago; 63,043.
UKAT’s analysis of the report shows that although only 5 councils have seen rises in the number of people dependent on alcohol, those with reductions are extremely marginal.
Local Authority
Estimated number of adults with alcohol dependency 2010
Estimated number of adults with alcohol dependency 2017/18
Rate per thousand of adult population 2017/18
Birmingham
13,177
12,667
14
Coventry
4,635
4,946
16
Dudley
3,732
3,617
13
Herefordshire
1,678
1,713
10
Sandwell
4,442
4,284
16
Shropshire
2,826
2,813
10
Solihull
1,760
1,812
10
Staffordshire
8,310
8,136
11
Stoke-on-Trent
3,750
3,509
17
Telford and Wrekin
1,878
1,953
13
Walsall
3,242
3,559
15
Warwickshire
4,880
5,028
10
Wolverhampton
3,453
3,375
16
Worcestershire
5,282
5,156
10
Public Health England data analysed by UKAT
Alcohol addiction treatment experts at UKAT say Councils here are “lack-luster” when it comes to prioritising treating people for alcohol addiction;
“Unfortunately, alcohol is just as harmful a drug than Heroin is, but a lot of people don’t or don’t want to see it that way,” says UKAT’s Group Treatment Lead, Nuno Albuquerque.
“Councils across the West Midlands assumed lead responsibility for alcohol service provision back in 2013, giving them full autonomy of how and where they spend their annual Public Health Grant, yet the numbers of people dependent on alcohol and in need of treatment overall isn’t reducing as much as you’d expect after seven years.
“Reports like these are produced to ensure that ignorance is not bliss; financial decision makers are given locally relevant prevalence estimates in order to better understand the scale of need in their area. Even though that on the whole, it is positive that the numbers have reduced, we would expect a larger reduction after this amount of time.”
Earlier this year, UKAT lodged a Freedom of Information Request to see how many publicly-funded residential drug and alcohol rehab facilities had closed down since Councils took responsibility for the Public Health Grant back in 2013. Their results show that across the West Midlands, there were 10 rehabs available to treat people with alcohol dependence back in 2013, and now, only 7 remain active; a 30% closure rate to services people are in need of.
Nuno explains that “Patient care at these particular residential rehabs is in the main, funded by councils. If the councils decide to opt for other – more than likely, cheaper – types of care for their patients, like community day centres, then these facilities lack vital funding and over time, have ceased operation. Quite simply, greater investment in effective treatment facilities, accessibility and awareness will help lower the number of people in this community suffering with alcohol dependence.”
Alcohol dependence is a syndrome characterised by a strong and sometimes overpowering desire to drink, which may take priority over other previously valued activities.
The analysis of alcohol dependence prevalence is calculated using local hospital admission rates for alcohol dependence or withdrawal, local authority population data and results from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS).
