Essex Partnership University NHS Trust’s Inpatient Detox team is offering advice and support to people this Dry January as the service gets ready to help more people in 2024.
The service, based on a mental health inpatient ward at The Crystal Centre in Chelmsford, enables adults living with addiction to detox with the support of specialist doctors, nurses, psychologists and occupational therapists.
Commissioned by Essex County Council, the service, based on Topaz ward, works alongside drug and alcohol support services across the eastern region to help patients living with addiction alongside other physical or mental health conditions.
Patients are supported through every step of the detox process by specialist doctors and nurses and have the opportunity to take part in ward-based occupational therapy, psychological therapy and art therapy groups.
Alcoholics Anonymous support groups also regularly visit patients.
Since the service launched last year the team have assessed more than 82 patients and has referred many for longer-term community support to help with their recovery.
Hayley Earle, Inpatient Detox Manager, has supported a large number of people on the ward for alcohol detoxes.
She said: “There are ways you can reduce your alcohol consumption if you feel your drinking is becoming a problem or if you feel you have developed a dependence.
“There are many agencies including Essex STaRS, Open Road, Phoenix Futures and Alcoholics Anonymous that can support you and help you safely reduce your alcohol intake.
“Detox is seen as a last resort, so if you recognise your drinking is becoming a problem, it is worth reaching out to seek help before it gets to this stage.
“I feel strongly about Dry January and feel it can give a real positive boost to your year.
“A month off alcohol can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help you lose weight, sleep better and save money.
“More importantly, evidence shows that people who do it are still drinking more healthily and report higher levels of well-being six months later.”
Tips to continue to control drinking in the longer term include planning ahead, having alcohol-free days and choosing drinks lower in alcohol percentage.
Use a drinking diary to plan when you will drink alcohol and how much you will drink. These tips can also help you to see habits and to break them.
There are plenty of self-help apps and websites available.
Try Dry is a free app that allows people to track their units, calories and money saved and set goals for managing their drinking year-round.