INTRODUCTION

Many situations, including several mentioned in this Problems for Parents category, can be caused or aggravated by drugs or alcohol, and alcohol is often a major causation factor for a domestic abuser. Alcohol and drugs are also something which we can start to use to help us in times of worry or stress, but we can become dependent on them.

Research has also shown that the victims of abuse are far more likely to become dependent on alcohol or drugs, especially prescription drugs, than other groups.

Source: Barron, J. (2004) Struggle to survive: Challenges for delivering services on mental health, substance misuse and domestic violence (Bristol: Women's Aid Federation of England).

Reinforcing these findings, Government studies also show, quite clearly, that many people are drinking far in excess of the safe recommended guideline amounts for alcohol.

PARENTS & CARERS - Adult Drugs & Alcohol Issues

Page Index

Drugs

Prescription Drugs

Dependency on prescription drugs is not unusual and is an issue on which you must involve your Doctor, as you will have been prescribed the drugs for a reason. Many victims of domestic abuse, stalking, hate crime, honour crime and bullying use prescribed anti-depressants and other medications as a direct result of their situations, and some become dependent on these drugs. Your Doctor will be sympathetic to your problem and will work with you to find a solution without jeopardising your treatment and your health. Remember, you can talk to your GP in total confidence.

Just about every reference source we checked in the preparation of this section offered the same piece of advice - Don't try to tackle the problem yourself or simply stop taking the medication.

Illegal Narcotics

This means non-prescribed drugs, and covers all the available "street" drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and dozens more. Addiction to these can be treated in several ways. Your GP can help you, or you can go to one of the local service providers for help and advice, and, if required treatment. These are listed at the end of this section.

There is more information on illegal drugs in the main Drugs & Alcohol category of this site.

Central Beds Advice & Support Centres

If use of un-prescribed or prescribed drugs is the problem the call:

Healthlink Drugs Advisory Service, 26-28 Bromham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 2QD Telephone: 01234 270123

Another excellent site is the Bedfordshire Drug & Alcohol Team, known as "B:DAT". Their website offers a massive amount of information. Aside from many helpful articles on drugs, including some helpful ones for parents and carers, it also offers direct links to other sites shown below.

Alcohol

Alcohol dependency is more common than a lot of people think, and many people, understandably, turn to alcohol when they are under stress or emotional pressure. While it may contribute to the behaviour of a bully, a stalker or a domestic abuser, that is never an excuse and while, if you are a victim, it may feel like it is helping, you may be putting your long term health at serious risk.

The government recommends no more than 14 units of alcohol a week for women and 21 units for men. A unit is considered to be a small glass of wine, a single small measure of spirits or a half pint of ordinary strength beer or lager. Many bars and pubs now serve wine and spirits in larger measures and a lot of draught and bottled beers and lagers are stronger than ordinary ones. Therefore, without even realising it, you could be consuming twice the units of alcohol you think you are.

If you think you have a problem, or are worried about your health in relation to alcohol then you can get help and advice from many sources. Some websites have calculators where you can work out if the amount of alcohol you drink could be damaging your health.

Two good calculators for alcohol consumption can be found at:

If you do think you have a problem, regardless of what may be causing it, your GP can help, or you can go to one of the local service providers for help, advice and support. Remember your GP is in an ideal position to assess your needs and if necessary refer you to another group or organisation.

Alcohol Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

This is a well established group helping those with alcohol problems. You don’t need to be referred by your Doctor and can just turn up. If the meeting is shown as "open" then you can bring a friend or supporter along with you, "closed" means it’s solely for people who are going there for help and support.

The AA website can be found at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk They also have a helpline which will give you advice and support. They do suggest you use the helpline before coming to a meeting to confirm it is being held. The helpline for people in Central Bedfordshire number is 01438-747475.

Other meeting venues are:

SHEFFORD (Closed meeting) Methodist Church Hall, Ampthill Road, Shefford. Held on Wednesdays at 8pm

BIGGLESWADE (Open Meeting) The Presbytery, St Peters RC Church, Station Road, Biggleswade (Next to Police Station) Held on Tuesdays at 8pm

BIGGLESWADE (Open lunch meeting) Scout Headquarters, rear of 130-132 London Road, Biggleswade. Held on Sundays at 12.30pm

Other useful websites (Alcohol or Drugs) local to Central Bedfordshire

National Websites

The "Talk to Frank" site is especially good to increase your own knowledge base regarding drugs.

Always remember that any issue concerning the addiction to, or misuse of drugs or alcohol is a treatable one and many dedicated and experienced professionals are there to help.