TY - JOUR
T1 - The perceived challenges facing alcohol treatment services in England: A qualitative study of service providers
AU - Perryman, Katherine
AU - Rose, Abigail K.
AU - Winfield, Hannah
AU - Jenner, Jenny
AU - Oyefeso, Adenekan
AU - Phillips, Tom S.
AU - Deluca, Paolo
AU - Heriot-Maitland, Charlie
AU - Galea, Sue
AU - Cheeta, Survjit
AU - Saunders, Vivienne
AU - Drummond, Colin
PY - 2011/2
Y1 - 2011/2
N2 - 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. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd.
AB - 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. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd.
KW - Alcohol dependence
KW - alcohol treatment
KW - needs assessment
U2 - 10.3109/14659891003706399
DO - 10.3109/14659891003706399
M3 - Article
SN - 1475-9942
VL - 16
SP - 38
EP - 49
JO - Journal of Substance Use
JF - Journal of Substance Use
IS - 1
ER -