There were 111,381 clients in contact with structured treatment aged 18 and over who cited alcohol as their primary problematic substance in 2009/10. This is an increase of 11,283 (11%) from 100,098 clients in the previous year.
There were a further 31,733 clients aged 18 and over who cited alcohol misuse as an adjunctive problem to a range of other primary problematic substances.
Clients’ median age at their first point of contact with treatment in 2009/10 was 41 and 65% of clients in treatment were male.
Most clients were White British (97,089 or 88%), while other ethnic groups each accounted for no more than two percent of clients.
Where reported (71,779 or 99% of clients starting treatment in 2009/10), 26,662 (37%) were self referrals and 15,166 (21%) were referrals from GP’s. Onward referrals from other substance misuse services together accounted for 8,474 clients (12%).
More than three quarters (54,242 or 79%) of all clients waited less than three weeks to commence treatment.
The most common intervention type received was ‘structured psychosocial’ with 45% of clients receiving this treatment modality in their latest journey (equating to 50,379 interventions delivered).
Where reported (63,458 or 87% of clients starting treatment in 2009/10), one in twenty five clients (2,416 or 4%) had No Fixed Abode on presenting for treatment; a further 10% of clients (6,510) had other housing problems.
Of the 63,632 clients exiting treatment in 2009/10; 30,533 (48%) were no longer dependent on alcohol (had completed treatment successfully); a further 4,640 (7%) were transferred for further treatment within the community, while 475(1%) were transferred into appropriate treatment while in custody.
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