Thousands Die without Access to Alcohol Treatment
Submitted by Ally
- 13 February 2017
The BBC reports that almost 8,000 high-risk drinkers died from alcohol-related causes in Wales, UK between 2005 – 2014 without having received treatment for alcohol addiction. This is despite repeated hospital and A&E admissions for as much as 94% of those who eventually died.
An alcohol treatment assessment was recorded for less than a quarter and one third were under the age of 50. As well as service inadequacies, Public Health Wales claims that this is because of ‘cultural barriers’ as many feel there is a stigma attached to heavy-drinking and, as a result, will not seek help when it is needed.