Our Invisible Addicts: Updated Edition (Royal College of Psychiatrists / BBC News / ONS / Wiley)

Summary

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published a second edition of the “Our Invisible Addicts” report, which presents updates to evidence concerning mental health aspects of alcohol and substance misuse in the “baby boomer” generation. It advises that substance misuse amongst older people is an increasing – if under-recognised – problem. The main section headings comprise:

• Working group (the Older Persons’ Substance Misuse Working Group).
• Executive summary.
• Key recommendations.
• Introduction.
• Notes and thoughts from a patient.
• Public health and substance misuse in older people.
• Assessment of substance misuse.
• Alcohol-related brain damage and physical complications of substance misuse.
• Treatment.
• Service delivery and implementation.
• Education and training.
• Ethical and legal considerations for older people with substance misuse.
• Research and development.
• Conclusion.
• References.
• Appendix: examples of evidence-based guidelines.
• Abbreviations.
• Glossary.
• Models of service.

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Reference

Older Persons’ Substance Misuse Working Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2018). Our invisible addicts. 2^nd edition. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists, March 2018. (Royal College of Psychiatrists Report CR211).

Probably of interest, regarding NHS prescription of powerful painkillers.

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Reference

Rhodes, D. (2018). NHS accused of fuelling rise in opioid addiction. London: BBC Health News, March 15^th 2018.

“The prescribing rate of opioid painkillers in parts of northern England is four times higher than in London”. Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day was on August 31^st 2018. Wiley, the journals publisher, made available a selection of freely downloadable articles to enhance the Overdose Awareness Day debate.

Estimated Burden of Alcohol-Related NHS and Hospital Care

Alcohol-related medical conditions cost the NHS in the UK roughly £3.5 billion per year. One in five UK hospital patients drink alcohol harmfully.

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Reference

Alcohol abuse affects one in five UK inpatients, study suggests. London: BBC Health News, July 4^th 2019.

International Opioid Addiction Statistics

Possibly of interest, concerning an Office for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report:

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Reference

Pym, H. (2019). Opioid addiction numbers to be revealed for the first time. London: BBC Health News, July 30^th 2019.

Prescription Drugs Overuse / Dependency

Excessive use of strong painkillers, antidepressants and sleeping tablets:

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Reference

Triggle, N. (2019). Too many hooked on prescription drugs – health chiefs. London: BBC Health News, September 10^th 2019.

See also, relating to BBC Two’s “Horizon: Addicted to Painkillers? Britain’s Opioid Crisis” shown on January 16^th 2020.

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Reference

Mosley, M. (2020). Why are opioids still given for chronic pain? London: BBC Health News, January 16^th 2020.

Possibly of interest:

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Reference

Schraer, R. (2020). Chronic pain: Antidepressants not painkillers recommended. London: BBC Health News, August 4^th 2020.