A new enhanced alcohol service

Addaction Drug & Alcohol Services provide an enhanced alcohol treatment service across Devon. The service helps to reduce physical and psychological health-related problems due to problematic alcohol misuse and reduce the harm caused by alcohol to individuals, families and society.

One project within this service is the North Devon Alcohol Arrest Referral Service providing a multi-agency approach to reducing alcohol related offending. It is one of only a handful of similar such services run nationwide. Offenders arrested on an alcohol related offence and in custody in Barnstaple can talk to a dedicated alcohol worker who will provide information on safe alcohol use and if appropriate, referral for treatment.

"The service has been very successful in picking people up who have slipped through the net or who may have a history of offending and have relapsed into old behaviours,” says Sue Petters, Addaction Drug and Alcohol, Services Manager. “It also gives people an opportunity to consider the impact of their alcohol use on themselves, their family and the wider community.”

Addaction Drug & Alcohol also provides an eight-week structured relapse prevention support group run by volunteers working alongside paid employees to help those who have already successfully completed their treatment to further work through potential relapse situations. People are offered support and learn how to manage situations which may put them at risk of relapse, such as going to a party or simply going out and walking past pubs or Off Licences.

Safer North Devon provided resources for Addaction Drug and Alcohol Services to identify alcohol related risks, raise awareness of alcohol harm in the community and to show the impact of alcohol mis-use. The service is now commissioned through the Devon Drug & Alcohol Team. “Tackling drug and alcohol-related crime and working to prevent it is one of our priorities and has been since our partnership began,” says Amanda Palmer, Safer North Devon Manager. “So it’s great to see these projects in place as part of a commissioned service which makes North Devon and Torridge a safe place to live, work and visit.”

Wednesday, 25th November 2009