Looking for Alcohol Treatment Information?

You can receive independent, expert advice on alcohol rehabilitation and rehab centres by telephoning DryOutNow.com on 0845 370 0203.

The most important consideration in choosing a rehab centre is to match the individual to the rehab centre that is most likely to lead to a successful outcome.

DryOutNow.com can provide an assessment of all your needs and a recommendation regarding the most effective rehab placement for you, given your particular circumstances. We can provide fast, immediate access to alcohol treatment.

Alcohol Treatment Research: New NHS guidelines on recreational drugs in nightclubs

New guidelines have been written which will assist nightclub staff in deciding whether to call ambulances for unwell clubbers.

The proposed guidelines were co-written by medics, police officers and bar owners and are published in BioMed Central's open access journal Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy. Many clubs have designated 'club medic' rooms where individuals with recreational drug toxicity can be assessed and managed. According to the study's coordinator and consultant physician and clinical toxicologist Dr. David Wood from Guy's and St Thomas' Poisons Unit at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: "In the past, club owners and promoters have been reluctant to call an ambulance for clubbers with recreational drug toxicity because of concerns that this could affect their license".

Dr. Wood describes his research as aiming "to work with key stakeholders in the pre-hospital setting to develop strategies to improve pre-hospital care for these clubbers. This includes developing ambulance-transfer guidelines and the training of 'club medic' staff".

The research team visited club medic rooms in various London nightclubs to assess the resources available and the medical training of the club medic staff.

The guidelines were then developed to advise club medics to call an ambulance if the patient meets any of ten defined criteria, including: being unresponsive; chest pain similar to a heart attack; or high blood pressure/heart rate/temperature. 'If in doubt, call an ambulance' is the last point in the guide. The guidelines were audited and revised using feedback from club medic staff. The authors also ran training in the use of the guidelines and in the management of recreational drug toxicity.

Previous studies by these authors have found the main drugs associated with ill health amongst clubbers in the area studied were GHB and stimulants such as ecstasy and cocaine. Typical effects of GHB include significant depression of central nervous function and respiration and effects seen with stimulant use include high temperature, heart-rate, blood pressure.

Dr. Wood added: "The guidelines we have described are designed to ensure that individuals with significant toxicity in these categories are easily identified and that an ambulance is called so that they receive appropriate and timely assessment and management in a hospital environment."

Improvement in the pre-hospital care of recreational drug users through the development of club specific ambulance referral guidelines' is published in Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy.

DryOutNow.com provides highly practical help for people with alcohol problems, their friends and relatives. DryOutNow.com also provides free resources for healthcare professionals such as medical information and alcohol treatment guidelines.

Other Alcohol Treatment Research Articles

• Poor Alcohol Regulation could cost up to 250,000 lives, doctors predict.
• Technology improves treatment options for drug users
• Department promoting early substance use screening process
• Alcohol tax increases deter drinking
• DrugScope welcomes report on 'neglected issue' of prescription and over-the-counter medication depen
• DrugScope responds to NTA figures on young people in treatment for substance misuse
• Concerns over trends in Ketamine use
• Try science when 'just saying no' isn't enough
• More action needed to tackle alcohol misuse, says BMA
• Alkermes initiates clinical trial for ALKS 33, a novel oral molecule with potential benefits in addi
• Genetic markers identified for alcohol response in UCSF Gallo study
• NIDA Monitoring the Future Survey, Results published
• Technology can help addicts trying to quit
• Study assesses success of anti meth adverts
• All patients should be asked about alcohol and drug abuse, says The American College of Obstetrician
• Researchers must tap into the language of intoxication
• Report points to lack of public awareness of health guidelines
• Reward stress link points to new targets for treating addiction
• SAMHSA releases new data on drug related hospital emergency department visits
• National rates of co occurring substance use and mental disorders call for better integration of men

Latest Alcohol Policy Related Articles

• Leeds counts 438GBP million economic and social cost of alcohol-related problems
• Pablo and FRANK - the new cocaine campaign
• Cannabis upgraded to Class B drug
• DrugScope welcomes report on 'neglected issue' of prescription and over-the-counter medication depen
• Tougher health and safety law demands tougher drugs policies, says drug testing company
• Time's up for irresponsible drink deals
• More action needed to tackle alcohol misuse, says BMA
• New report reveals that five million people participate in self help groups each year
• Make Scotlands roads safer, reduce drink driving limits, says BMA Scotland
• Study will seek to break cycle of chemical dependence and incarceration
• More advice on alcohol and healthy living from UK Department of Health
• Working towards recovery, Getting problem drug users into jobs, UKDPC report released
• More support needed for employers to hire addicts, says research
• Study shows link between number of alcohol retailers and youth injuries
• European project to study relationship between ADHD and substance abuse
• Two few treatments centres says former government adviser
• BMA Scotland recently published an action plan to tackle alcohol misuse
• WHO to hold public hearing on ways of reducing the harmful use of alcohol
• Public policy measures on alcohol price and availability would be more effective than clinical treat
• Licensing act could be affecting alcohol-related hospital admissions