Planning and Provision of Drug Misuse Services
APPENDIX D

Alcohol Services for Drug Misusers

Many drug misusers have alcohol problems as part of their pattern of polydrug use. Similarly, individuals identified as problem drinkers or alcohol misusers commonly misuse drugs. The overlap between problems arising from alcohol and drug misuse is considerable and the services these clients require are often very similar.

It follows that services which deal specifically with either alcohol or drug misusers should complement each other so as to provide for the needs of clients in both areas of substance misuse. Some services have tackled this need by developing an integrated service which deals with both alcohol and drug misuse clients.

Those responsible for drug misuse services need to take account of the significance of alcohol service provision in the following areas:

  • The recognition of co-existing alcohol and drug misuse in some clients and the need for the appropriate treatment of the alcohol component.
  • The need for services for young people to reflect the common pattern of alcohol and drug misuse amongst this client group.
  • Awareness that planners of mental health services will include some provision for patients with alcohol and drug misuse problems.
  • The role of an appropriate co-ordinating and planning mechanism in ensuring that alcohol services are available for drug misusers.