Alcohol: treatment issues

Interventions for alcohol problems range across a spectrum from delivering brief advice on cutting down alcohol consumption through to complex care for those with alcohol-related brain damage. These interventions can be delivered in a variety of settings, both within and outwith the health service, including the voluntary sector. Interventions are also delivered by a range of providers, both generalist and specialist. An Alcohol problems support and treatment services framework was published in 2002.

Planning and commissioning local alcohol services is led by 22 Alcohol and Drug Action Teams (ADATs) throughout Scotland. Each ADAT is responsible for drawing up a corporate action plan which describes current service activity as well as future plans.

Disulfiram and Acamprosate Calcium are drugs used for the pharmacological treatment of alcohol dependence. Prescription data for these drugs show that number of prescribed items and quantity dispensed for both of these drugs are increasing over time (figures available from 1999-2003).