Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Nurses to offer patients advice on alcohol intake

Nurses are to advise patients about their drinking habits as part of a scheme to tackle binge drinking.

Patients who return to hospital for treatment after a drink-related injury will receive advice from nurses about their alcohol intake.

The assembly government-led scheme will start across Wales in February.

The chief nursing officer for Wales said the binge-drinking culture was “getting worse” and this could help reduce long term damage to health.

A recent report suggested 1,000 deaths each year in Wales are linked to alcohol misuse.

Research by Professor Jonathan Shepherd, of Cardiff university’s violence research group, has found it is possible to detect alcohol misuse and treat it using “brief interventions when patients with injuries return to hospital”.

He said: “Excessive drinking is a major cause of illness, injury, and behavioural problems in Wales.

“The chief medical officer for Wales’ latest annual report found that some 45,000 hospital admissions and 1,000 deaths every year in Wales are linked to alcohol misuse.

“One way to address this is through brief interventions. Hospital treatment can be a sobering experience for people and evidence shows that people are more receptive to healthcare messages when they are delivered in a clinical setting.”

The initiative, which is part of a partnership between NHS Wales and Cardiff University, is designed to target drinkers who do not need specialist alcohol treatment but whose drinking is likely to eventually damage their health.

Nurses who work in trauma and maxillofacial clinics are being encouraged to be trained to provide the advice.

‘Increasing burden’

Chief medical officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said the assembly government’s substance misuse strategy had provided the impetus for the development.

“In my recent letter to the service I highlighted the need to educate people about the health risks associated with exceeding safe drinking limits and make sure the health service takes this opportunity to engage fully in this training programme.”

Rosemary Kennedy, chief nursing officer for Wales said: “Binge-drinking culture is getting worse in Wales.

“Evidence-based interventions will help reduce the long-term damage from excessive drinking and the increasing burden on the NHS.”

source: BBC News

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Teens Cite Ease of Access To Drugs

A growing number of teenagers say it’s easier to illegally obtain prescription drugs than to buy beer, according to a survey published today. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University asked: “Which is easiest for someone your age to buy: cigarettes, beer, marijuana, or prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin….

Inpatient Addiction Treatment Offers New Hope to Struggling Addicts

Those suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol have often failed the recovery process on more than one occasion before they land in an inpatient addiction treatment center. In fact, many have even failed treatment at an inpatient program multiple times before the treatment actually works for them and recovery is found. Inpatient addiction treatment….

Sobering facts about teen drinking

Knowledge dispels ignorance. And when it comes to underage drinking and other drug use, we as a society are astonishingly and shamefully ignorant. Efforts by the media and public officials to enlighten residents are critical to breaking this woeful lack of awareness. The sky is falling on our teens and young adults, and there is….

Will Alcohol Abuse Treatment Centers Help Me Recover?

Only around 10% of people who suffer from an alcohol addiction receive help from an alcohol abuse center Over twenty percent of rehab admission are from people who need help with their alcohol addiction Over 20 million people have an alcohol addiction in America Alcohol Addiction Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in America…..

Alcohol-fuelled disorder costs every home

Alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder is costing every household almost £600 a year as the true impact of the country’s drink problem is exposed for the first time. Coping with the effects of drunken rowdiness and offending, including policing, health care and loss of earnings, leaves England and Wales with an annual bill of up to….