Wigan charity boss fears 'public health crisis' as fewer people seek help for drug and alcohol use

Wiganers are being urged to continue seeking help from drug, alcohol and mental health services, after a charity revealed referrals for treatment had halved during the coronavirus lockdown.
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Sarah Humphreys, service manager for We Are With You in Wigan, fears the country could be “sleepwalking towards a public health crisis” as fewer people get the help they need.

The charity, which was previously named Addaction, commissioned a YouGov Direct survey which found the biggest barrier to people in the North West accessing health services was concerns about placing extra strain on the NHS (63 per cent).

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This was followed by fear of catching Covid-19 (18 per cent).

More than 6m people are worried about someone's alcohol useMore than 6m people are worried about someone's alcohol use
More than 6m people are worried about someone's alcohol use

It echoed We Are With You’s own national data, which revealed referrals into treatment across its drug, alcohol and mental health services had dropped by 52 per cent during the lockdown period, when compared with January.

Overall, alcohol referrals have fallen by 72 per cent in the same period.

However, the number of people contacting the charity’s online webchat service increased in March and April, compared to the first two months of the year.

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The survey also found more than 6m people in the UK were worried about the drinking of someone they know during the current restrictions.

Sarah Humphreys, service manager for We Are With You in WiganSarah Humphreys, service manager for We Are With You in Wigan
Sarah Humphreys, service manager for We Are With You in Wigan

The most common reasons people in the North West thought someone may use alcohol now were boredom (73 per cent), anxiety (56 per cent) and loneliness (54 per cent).

In the North West, 90 per cent of people thought support from a family member or friend was important in helping someone with an alcohol problem. People would be most likely to access advice online if they were concerned.

Sarah Humphreys, service manager for We Are With You in Wigan, said: “These are really tough times for everyone. It’s completely understandable that people don’t want to access health services across the board at the moment. But the necessary coronavirus restrictions have led to an increase in drinking at home.

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“At the best of times we know four out of five people with an alcohol issue aren’t accessing support, with less people wanting to access health services right now, there’s a danger we could be sleepwalking towards a public health crisis when this is all over.

“If you are concerned about your own drinking, or are one the millions of people concerned about the drinking of someone you know, drug and alcohol services remain open and are here to work alongside people during this difficult time. Our treatment services are warm, non-judgemental spaces where we work with people to help them make healthier choices.

“You don’t need to contact your GP or worry about putting extra strain on the NHS - you can call the Wigan service on 01942 827979 or look up your local provider online and give them a call.

“We know that human connection and networks are vital to helping people make healthier choices and improve their wellbeing. The vast majority of people we’ve worked alongside credit someone who stood by them through thick and thin.

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“Our website - www.wearewithyou.org.uk - has some really helpful advice if you are concerned about yourself or someone you know at the current time. You can also talk anonymously to a trained advisor via our online webchat. Remember, we are with you during this crisis.”

These findings come as alcohol sales in supermarkets and off-licences soared in March and April, according to consumer analysts Kantar, and addiction experts from the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned problem drinking was soaring during lockdown.

Furthermore, findings from the charity Alcohol Change UK found nearly one in five daily drinkers had increased their alcohol use during lockdown.

Volunteer Sammie, who is in recovery from alcohol, said: “I told myself that because I used to drink in fits and spurts rather than every day I didn’t have an issue. Alcohol made me feel confident and dulled my anxiety but once I started I struggled to stop, with serious consequences for myself and my family.

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“When I first started working with We Are With You I was really sceptical about what they could offer. But the staff were warm and didn’t judge or label me. My key worker Dawn asked me what I wanted to achieve and worked alongside me to get to that point. Now I’m using my experiences to support others.

“The current restrictions are tough for people like me who are in recovery. Isolation, boredom and anxiety are big factors which lead to people drinking more. And without work or other obligations to keep people in check, some people may go into spirals of drinking like I used to. But the support is still out there, online support groups are helping me cope and I still speak to Dawn on the phone.

“You don’t need to go through your GP or worry about putting extra strain on the NHS.”

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