Dr David Bremner, Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Turning Point, said: “The impact of isolation, financial insecurity and fear has hit many who were already vulnerable particularly hard during the pandemic, including those with a history of alcohol problems. “Treatment services have continued to support people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction during these difficult times although we know access to many services has been affected. However, the sector as whole is under pressure as a result of reduced funding over the past decade and needs investment in order to support vulnerable people. "The government needs to take urgent action to avoid further preventable deaths.”
In response to the Quarterly alcohol-specific deaths in England and Wales released by ONS today Dr David Bremner, Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Turning Point, said:
“The statistics release by the ONS today showing that alcohol related deaths were up over 16% last year is really very sad news. Behind every number is a human life and our thoughts go out to anyone who has lost someone this way.
“The increase in deaths is a wider impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted on the nation’s mental health but the impact of isolation, financial insecurity and fear has hit many who were already vulnerable particularly hard during the pandemic, including those with a history of alcohol problems.
“This, coupled with a withdrawal of many frontline services in order to reduce transmission of the virus, has meant that some people have not received the support that they needed. At Turning Point we recognised that the pandemic was disproportionately affecting our clients and we committed to keeping our detox facility in Manchester and our rehab services open throughout the pandemic.
“Treatment services have continued to support people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction during these difficult times although we know access to many services has been affected. However, the sector as whole is under pressure as a result of reduced funding over the past decade and needs investment in order to support vulnerable people. Turning Point have seen caseloads increase even further over the past nine months with increasing numbers of people accessing treatment and increasing numbers of people in crisis.
“This is clearly a difficult time for all of us, not least people struggling with alcohol problems. At Turning Point we have rapidly developed new ways of working in response to the crisis, with many examples of staff going above and beyond to support their client in this difficult time. Our fear is that the sector will be further destabilised by the abolition of Public Health England. We look forward to the outcome of Dame Carol Black’s review of substance misuse services which is due to be published in the coming months. The government needs to take urgent action to avoid further preventable deaths.”
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Note to editors:
1 - Turning Point is a social enterprise which has over 50 years’ experience of providing support for people affected by drug and alcohol problems, mental health issues, offending behaviours, unemployment, health and wellbeing social issues, and those with a learning disability to discover new possibilities in their lives. For more information, please visit www.turning-point.co.uk.
2 - Last year Turning Point treated 59,393 people with drug and alcohol problems across England.