- Addiction rates rising for alcohol, ketamine, cocaine and gambling
- Addiction treatment expert issues urgent warning and guidance
- “Recognising addiction in yourself or loved ones is difficult but crucial,” says leading consultant psychiatrist
- Priory has transformed addiction treatment programme this month to increase access for people across the UK
A leading Priory specialist is urging people to recognise the “must-know” warning signs of addiction amidst growing alcohol, cocaine, ketamine and gambling crises across the UK.
A record number of people are dying every year as a result of alcohol misuse, cocaine-related deaths have increased ten-fold since 2011 and the number of people seeking support for gambling addiction rose by 130% last year.
Dr Omair Ahmed, a consultant psychiatrist at Priory specialising in addiction treatment, said: “Modern lives are structured in a way that leaves space for addictive behaviours to take a really strong grip which doesn’t relent.
“For example, widespread remote working increases social isolation and enables people vulnerable to addiction to secretly drink during the day, while people are bombarded with betting adverts while carrying devices with gambling apps in their pockets.
“To contend with the issues affecting everyday life, people are increasingly turning to addictive substances in the desperate hope that they will alleviate mental ill-health – we are seeing the consequences of this day-in, day-out in our addiction services.”
In response to the crisis, Priory has adapted and expanded its renowned addiction programme to increase accessibility for more people in need of support.
It is the most significant change to the programme in 45 years, with new and flexible treatment options being added to the traditional 28-day inpatient rehabilitation programme, including more affordable outpatient therapy as well as digital support services.
It also includes a new therapy-led residential addiction service which offers the options of 14, 28 or 42 day stays which offers a community-based alternative to a hospital stay.
“Addiction is a complex but treatable condition, so it is vital people take action,” said Dr Ahmed, who supports addiction patients at Priory Hospital Woodbourne in Birmingham: “The first step is to identify there is a problem. Recognising addiction in yourself or loved ones is difficult but crucial and it can open the door for the right support to begin what is a very achievable recovery.”
Dr Ahmed said: “Addiction means a person compulsively takes a substance or performs a behaviour, despite the negative or harmful consequences it has on their life. If you find that you’re answering ‘yes’ to a number of these questions, this might be a sign that you need professional guidance and support.
“Your GP is often a good person to talk to if you are concerned and there are a range of addiction charities you can reach out to who signpost such as Chasing the Stigma, as well as specialist addiction treatment services like Priory across the UK.”
Priory has introduced a new range of flexible addiction treatment options, a significant shift in the way addiction care is delivered in the UK, to help provide a wider range of choices for those seeking support and treatment. These include an online programme, a blended detox and day care service, and a residential, non-medical package launching this October.
If you have recognised the signs of addiction in a loved one, Priory guidance on how to stage an intervention in a constructive and compassionate way is available via: www.priorygroup.com/addiction-treatment/staging-an-intervention