The perceived challenges facing alcohol treatment services in England: A qualitative study of service providers

Abstract

Background: Although there is currently a high level of need for alcohol treatment in the United Kingdom, there has been a lack of research into alcohol treatment to date. This study reports on what the current challenges to alcohol treatment services in England are, what resources might help to improve services, and which groups are poorly served by alcohol treatment services, as perceived by service providers.

Methods: Qualitative data was obtained in three open-ended questions from a sample of 207 alcohol treatment agencies that responded to the national alcohol needs assessment postal survey.

Results: Lack of funding, a general lack of resources to provide services, inadequate access to detoxification and rehabilitation services, and a lack of trained staff to deliver services were key challenges presented. More staff, improved access to detoxification and rehabilitation services, better premises, more funding allocation, improved links with other services, and better resources in general to provide services were the key factors reported to improve services. Clients with complex needs (e.g., dual diagnosis, brain damage), women with children, homeless people, and ethnic minorities were perceived to be poorly served by alcohol treatment services.

Conclusions: Alcohol treatment services in England face many challenges which should be incorporated into future alcohol treatment service development.

• Alcohol dependence
• alcohol treatment
• needs assessment

Acknowledgments

This study formed part of the ANARP and was funded by the Department of Health, in support of the UK government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. We would like to acknowledge and thank Kable Ltd. and MORI Social Research Institute for collaborating with us on this project. We would also like to thank the specialist alcohol agencies for taking part in the survey. A great deal of professional time was given at very short notice by many people to help with this project, and for that we are extremely grateful.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.