Sunday, February 11, 2007Treatment news: CBT for prisoners; AA outcomes better than CBT; drunk tank ditched
Prisoners in Scotland are to be offered cognitive therapy to tackle growing problems with alcohol-related violence and health problems. The first study of its kind has revealed that two in five prisoners have problems with alcohol misuse, compared with one in eight people in the population at large. Traditionally, the focus in prisons has been on drugs misuse, but the report shows there is an urgent need to tackle the underlying causes of alcohol-related problems. Despite having almost no access to the substance within jail, 44% of prisoners were recorded as having problems with alcohol misuse.The Scottish Prison Survey also found that 40% had committed their crime while underthe influence of alcohol, and 46% were keen to get help with their drinking problems while in jail. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) already assesses the health and substance misuse problems of every prisoner on arrival, and provides a range of interventions, including detox for drug addiction, counselling, and anger management programmes. However, psychologists are now developing a specialist cognitive behavioural programme to address those with particular alcohol misuse problems. Research shows that for every £1 spent on alcohol treatment, up to £5 is recouped for public services. The Herald
Problem drinkers attending the faith-based Alcoholics Anonymous groups are 30% more likely than others to remain sober for at least two years, according to research published this month. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, found their treatment also costs 30% less than conventional cognitive behavioural therapy. According to lead researcher Dr Keith Humphreys, based at Stanford University, this is because it requires fewer hospital visits and admissions. Up to 80% of alcohol dependent patients start drinking again within six months of a hospital detox. So why do AA members have a better chance than average? Dr Humphreys told the BBC's Health Check programme that many AA members point to the spiritual component of their 12-step programme as crucial in fighting the urge to drink. BBC News
Edinburgh: Police chiefs' hopes of opening a "drunk tank" where the city's binge and street drinkers can sober up have been dashed by a cash crisis. The four-bed facility planned for the Salvation Army hostel in the Pleasance was widely seen as an ideal way of dealing with drunks who collapse in the street. But police chiefs have been left "disappointed" after being told there is no money available to open its doors. The Edinburgh Drug and Alcohol Team had asked the city council for the £200,000 a year needed to run the operation. But the local authority says it cannot afford the funds, despite senior police officers' strong support for the project. The drunk tank was designed to take in vagrants and binge drinkers who consume so much alcohol they cannot look after themselves. Police say they are seeing a growing number of such problem drinkers. It was expected to take the pressure off the police and hospitals that currently deal with scores of drunks every week. Scotsman
Contributor: Libby Ranzaetta Alcohol Policy UK
