Drink addiction

Citation

(2008), "Drink addiction", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 38 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2008.01738dab.023

Drink addiction

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 38, Issue 4.

Who knows whether the “ladette” culture is to blame, but the latest statistics show that drink and drug problems are affecting more women than ever.

For instance, the number of babies born to women who are addicted to drugs and alcohol has recently been shown to be on increase. According to figures recently revealed by Dawn Primarolo, the Lib Dem Public Health Minister, almost twice as many babies were born to mothers with drug addiction problems and four times as many babies born to women dependent on alcohol last year, compared with few years ago.

In 2007, 1,970 babies were born to women with drug addiction, up from 1,057 in 2003. Meanwhile, 82 women with alcohol dependency problems had babies last year, compared with just 22 in 2002.

Earlier research shows that the number of women dying from alcohol-related illnesses is twice what it was 15 years ago, with those in the 35-54 age group affected than women of other ages. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 14.8 women aged 35-54 per 100,000 population died from alcohol-related illnesses in 2006, compared with 7.2 per 100,000 in 1991.

ONS statistics show that men are still more likely to die as a result of abusing alcohol than women, out of all alcohol-related deaths, two-thirds are among men. There again, that is hardly any consolation.

Effective treatment whether male or female, Cygnet Health Care offers a variety of treatment programmes for those who have drug or alcohol addiction problems.

The strategies and treatment for alcohol rehabilitation and therapy (START) programme is a residential treatment plan for people with alcohol problems or simply those who are worried about how much they are drinking. START is a two-stage programme:

1. 1.

   (1)  The first stage is a seven-day physical detox that takes place in a pleasant, safe environment, and includes medication for relieving withdrawal symptoms prescribed by a consultant psychiatrist.

2. 2.

   (2)  The optional second stage is a ten-day programme of intensive therapy that includes relaxation techniques, stress management and assertiveness training to help those who have completed the first stage to remain alcohol-free.

For more information on START, visit www.cygnetstart.co.uk