Liverpool Community Alcohol Services 0151 – 259 –

FACTS According to Drink Wise, In 2012 the North West had the highest number of alcohol-related deaths in the country (more than 3,000 annually!) Alcohol consumption can contribute to acute (sudden) deaths, such as from accidents, violence and suicide. It can also contribute to the development of potentially fatal chronic diseases, including liver disease, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancers of the breast and gastrointestinal tract. Only 1 in 18 people who misuse alcohol receive treatment.

TOP THREE FACTS FROM THE NORTH WEST Every four minutes someone is admitted to hospital in the North West because of alcohol. The North West has the highest number of alcohol related deaths in England. 1 in 5 adults in the North West drink at levels likely to pose significant risk to their health.

Population CCG Registered 493k, resident estimated at 466k Similar to national except for & which reflect students and young professionals, increased notably since 2002 Projected to increase age significantly over the next 20 years 65+ population to increase by a third Small but growing BME population (9%)

Alcohol plays a part in more than 1 in 5 accidental deaths. The North West issues more prescriptions for alcohol dependence than anywhere else in England – almost 23,000 a year. A man regularly drinking more than two pints of lager a day is three times more likely to have a stroke and three times more likely to get mouth cancer. A woman regularly drinking two glasses of wine or more a day is 50% more likely to get breast cancer and twice as likely to have high blood pressure which could lead to a stroke or a heart attack. Alcohol is the second biggest cause of cancer (after smoking) in people aged 35 years or older.

RISK Deaths due to alcohol-related liver disease are reported to account for approximately one quarter of all alcohol-related deaths. In the UK, the peak age bracket for alcohol- related deaths is 45 to 65, and alcohol is a contributing factor in over a quarter of all deaths in men aged 16 to 24 years.

Services  Confidential service to motivate patients to reduce / stop their alcohol use safely.  Assess and refer patients to Ambulatory / Inpatient Detox.  Signpost / refer patients to peer support services within Liverpool’s recovery community.  Signpost / refer onto counselling.  Signpost / refer onto family support services & advice centres.  Referral onto Intuitive Recovery Courses.  Facilitate up to 8 x Brief Intervention Sessions.  Care Plan at assessment & regularly updated.  Patients seen at local GP surgeries / Health Centres – Minimising travel.

REFERRING TO LCAS Referrals accepted from GP’s and all Health Care Professionals. Referral forms can be faxed direct to LCAS. (FAX: ) Patients can Self Refer by Phone. (Tel: we will call patients back if requested)

Structure LCAS present in 2 Acute trusts and Community. Any inpatient in acute hospital is seen on a ward or in A&E by an alcohol specialist nurse. A referral to be seen in the service users own community setting across Liverpool. No waiting time ensures continuity from hospital to community agency to enable recovery journey to begin.

Easy access By operating in a multitude of settings. Ease of access in the 75 clinics across the city. Choice of treatment pathways: Inpatient detox Community ambulatory Continued management of advance liver disease in an acute setting

LCAS- Key issues High rates of emergency admissions High use of A&E Rising cause of mortality Evidence of variation in awareness in general practice Public awareness of Alcohol related injury and illness

How much should I be drinking? The NHS and Department of Health (DH) advise that:  Adult women should not regularly drink more than two to three units of alcohol a day.  Adult men should not regularly drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day.  “Regularly” means drinking on most days of the week or on every day of the week. The DH also advises taking a 48- hour break from alcohol after a heavy drinking session to allow your body to recover.

Liverpool Community Alcohol Services TELEPHONE 0151 – 529 – 4504 FAX 0151 – 529 – 4506 WEBSITE