HEAVY drinkers and alcoholics are being provided with a new support programme in an effort to reduce drink-related hospital admissions in Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire’s Substance Misuse and Alcohol Referral Team — Smart — has launched a new service to support heavy drinkers.
Eight specialist alcohol workers will help alcoholics and binge drinkers with advice, one-to-one sessions, and therapy.
The workers started work last week in Witney.
Darren Worthington, chief executive of Smart, said: “Considering the cost of alcohol on our health and on society as a whole, a clear strategy was needed to support problematic drinkers to get the help they need.
“Through our new alcohol service, Smart’s aim is to provide a range of services that are more visible in the hope more people will be willing and able to access them”.
The new service was launched at Smart’s drop-in centre in Marlborough House, Witney.
Smart is commissioned to provide alcohol and drug support for adults in Oxfordshire by the Government’s Drug Alcohol Action Team.
Eight specialist workers are employed to tailor specific support programmes for anyone referred to them.
They are on hand to provide one-to-one therapy sessions, group work, cognitive behaviour therapy, and referrals for medical help.
Smart has also sent a mobile drugs support service on to the county’s roads. A van and support workers will regularly visit Barton and Blackbird Leys, in Oxford, Wallingford, Wantage, Faringdon, Berinsfield, Carterton, Burford, Chipping Norton, Thame, and Henley.
Government figures published last month showed alcohol-related admissions to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford and Banbury's Horton Hospital rose by 50 per cent between 2003/04 and 2007/08.
And a survey by the Association of Public Health Observatories estimated that almost a quarter of adults in Oxfordshire admitted to being heavy drinkers — higher than the national average of 18 per cent. Official Department of Health figures showed alcohol-related hospital admissions in Oxfordshire increased from 2,517 in 2003/04 to 3,781 in 2007/08.
To contact Smart, call 01865 403151, or visit one of their drop-in centres in Cowley Road, Oxford, Marlborough House, Witney, Didcot Baptist Church, Didcot, the Salvation Army, Bicester, and Banbury Health Centre.