Experts warn drugs and alcohol problems set to ‘tip off the scale’ because of lockdown

The Department for Education has released new statistics on the number of parents and children living in the North West referred to and assessed by social services between 2018 and 2019.

The figures reveal thousands of households were already severely abusing drugs or alcohol even before the COVID-19 lockdown struck.

The figures show that between 2018 and 2019, 74,350 referrals were made to social care services in the North West which required further assessment.

During these household assessments, data has been revealed as to how many times a concerning factor was identified (each assessment may have multiple concerning factors recorded for it).

Alcohol misuse was identified at the end of 16,190 assessments, accounting for (an aggregated) 22% of cases.

Drug misuse was identified at the end of 19,050 assessments, accounting for (an aggregated) 25% of cases.

Other concerning factors identified at the end of household assessments across the North West included domestic violence (40,050 times), mental health (37,550 times), neglect (12,550 times) and physical abuse (10,210 times).

Drug and alcohol addiction experts UKAT warns these numbers will more than likely ‘tip off the scale in the next report’ given the current Coronavirus crisis lockdown.

“This report is truly saddening as it paints such a graphic and telling picture of how some families living across the North West are living”, explained Nuno Albuqeruque, Group Treatment Lead at UKAT.

He added: “We must remember that these aren’t just numbers; they’re children, parents and carers whose situation last year was so concerning it was passed to social services to explore and support. 

“Our immediate concern now is how much worse their situations may have become since the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced.

"Those who were living with domestic violence, neglect, physical abuse and drug and alcohol abuse now have nowhere to go, nowhere to escape to. 

“Unfortunately, we’d expect to see the number of referrals into social care and support services rise during this time, particularly for alcohol misuse.”

The UK Addiction Treatment Group has also seen a stark rise in the number of people using their 24/7 online chat tool, people who are struggling with life at home, who are turning to alcohol and drug misuse, and reaching out for help.

UKAT operates a rehab facility in Runcorn, Oasis Recovery. 

Mr Albuqeruque added: “We’re speaking with more people than ever about their struggle with drugs and alcohol and how the pressures from the current crisis is affecting their relationship with these substances.

"Many people are using them as coping methods and for some, this will progress into dependency and addiction and will remain with them long after the lockdown measures are relieved.

“We urge everyone living across the North West to ask for help if they feel that they need it.

"Not everything has stopped during the crisis; support services are still there to support you.

"We all need to come together, be kind and to help those most vulnerable in our communities.”

If, during the Coronavirus crisis, either you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol, visit: www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/rehab-treatment/v12/ for local support services

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