Alcohol treatment system “working well”

The system for treating problem alcohol use amongst adults in England is working well for many people, the National Treatment Agency reports. More people who need help for alcohol use are coming forward for specialist treatment. The number who successfully complete their treatment programme is increasing, with fewer people dropping out. Waiting times are low and improving.

The latest figures released by the NTA were published as local authorities prepare to take on responsibility for commissioning alcohol services, supported by a new national body, Public Health England (PHE), from April 2013. Alcohol treatment will be a significant priority for PHE.

The national statistics and trends are analysed in an NTA report ‘Alcohol treatment in England 2011-12’. Key findings include:

108,906 people received alcohol treatment in 2011- 12, down 2% from the year before. This includes 74,353 new entrants to treatment during the year, a rise of 1% compared to 2010-11

38,174 people successfully completed their treatment, 6% more than the previous year

Most people (38%) referred themselves into treatment, 19% were referred by their GP

70% of all those in alcohol treatment were concentrated in the 30 to 54 age range and the average age of a person in treatment was 42. Men accounted for nearly two thirds of the treatment population during the year. By far the biggest ethnic group was white British (88%)

NTA Director of Delivery Rosanna O’Connor said: “The high number of people who require help with problem drinking remains a great cause for concern. The signs that more are seeking to overcome their alcohol misuse and more are successfully completing treatment are, however, encouraging. This progress will continue to be driven by Public Health England, working with local authorities to ensure that the full range of effective alcohol services are available and accessible.