Graham Beech, Chief Executive

Support for Royal College Of Psychiatrists' call for a multi-million pound funding boost to addiction services

Graham Beech, Chief Executive of Action on Addiction, responds to the new figures on the increase of alcohol use and addiction during lockdown:

The findings highlighted in today’s report echo Action on Addiction’s concerns about people’s experience of lockdown. We have no hesitation in supporting The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ call for a multi-million pound funding boost.

At a time when addiction is growing in both volume and complexity and access to treatment is in serious decline, it is vital that action is taken to:

i) Address the reduction in funding for and access to evidence-based treatment for children, young people, families and adults affected by addiction;

ii) Strengthen community-based support to enable people to achieve long term, stable recovery regardless of their financial means; and

iii) Integrate and streamline referral pathways so that people can get the help they need when they need it.

We know that addiction has thrived on the isolation brought about by lockdown. Addiction is a life-stopping condition which infiltrates families and affects people of all ages and from all social backgrounds. It also has the potential to have a far-reaching negative impact across the whole of society. The much better news is that recovery from addiction can also be far reaching – a force for good that is positively life-changing. One of the lessons from the pandemic is that it has never been more important than now to invest in evidence-based recovery that will give people the chance to live their lives free from the ravages of addiction.

For more information on our services click here

To view the Royal College Of Psychiatry analysis click here

To view our June poll into addiction during lockdown click here