Treatment for alcohol dependency is on the rise
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The number of prescriptions given out to treat alcohol dependency has increased, according to figures from the NHS Information Centre.
A total of 150,445 prescriptions were written out for two specific drugs in 2009, up 12% from 2008.
However, the figures could be showcasing a greater willingness to seek treatment, and doctors to offer it.
In 2007 the number of men displaying alcohol dependency had in fact fallen.
Although, in 2009, nearly 95,000 prescription items were dispensed of Acamprosate calcium, which helps restore the brains chemical balance to reduce a patient’s withdrawal symptoms from alcohol.
During the same period just over 55,500 prescription items were dispensed of Disulfiram, which causes a severe and unpleasant reaction in the patient if they drink alcohol.
This was at a cost of £2.38m.
The number of men with symptoms of alcohol dependency fell between 2000 and 2007, from 11.5% of men aged 16-74 to 9.3%.
The number of women with symptoms of alcohol dependency over that period remained unchanged, at 4%.
By Deepika Dudakia
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