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Harmful Alcohol Consumption in the London Borough of Camden 

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Harmful Alcohol Consumption in the London Borough of Camden 

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Stroke, Heart Disease, Liver Failure, Depression and Anxiety

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Alcohol can also increase the incidence of several types of cancer

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These statistics show that Hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions are higher in Camden than the rest of London, But below the average for the rest of England.

These conditions do not truly reflect the occurrence of harmful drinking and only those in which have resulted in hospital admissions , So we can expect the true figures to be significantly higher than the above.

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Why is alcoholism higher amongst people in Camden?

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It can be argued that the high prevalence of harmful drinking can be down to culture. There are hundreds of pubs in Camden  that are often occupied with British-Born residents (who make up over 57% of the population in Camden.

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It can be argued that the high prevalence of harmful drinking can be down to culture. There are hundreds of pubs in Camden  that are often occupied with British-Born residents (who make up over 57% of the population in Camden.

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Camden’s Residence Includes:
42% Residents under 30
69% Under 45
17% Children
A “large proportion of students and younger adults”

It can be said  that one of the reasons Camden has a higher amount of  admissions for Alcohol-related conditions is due to the higher prevalence of student residents and younger people.

In many countries, alcohol consumption amongst students is consistently shown to be higher than that of non-students in the same age range (Dawson, Grant, Stinson, & Chou 2004

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 Unemployment was the most common compounding issue in the alcohol treatment population, with 55% of the Camden population being unemployed at the start of treatment, lower than the England average of 59%.  About 38% were also receiving care from mental health services for reasons other than substance misuse, almost double the England average (21%).  One in five also had a housing issue at the start of treatment, higher than England (13%).  About 28% also received structured treatment for drug use (other than alcohol), higher than the country rate of 21%

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What is being done to reduce the risks of harmful drinking in Camden?

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National & local strategies include the:
 Public Health England ‘Evidence into Action’ report, as alcohol is part of one of seven key priorities.
 The Government’s Alcohol Strategy, which was introduced in 2012.
 Camden Young Persons Substance Misuse Strategy, which was introduced in 2016-2021
 Camden Licensing Policy 2017-2022
 And additionally they joined the Health and Wellbeing Strategy in 2016-2019

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What are these strategies aiming to achieve? 

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What are these strategies aiming to achieve? 

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Theses strategies
Exploit opportunities to increase the visibility of alcohol-related harm as a key public health issue.

It also Support an approach to alcohol licensing that ensures alcohol is sold in a responsible way, such that it does not cause or make worse alcohol-related harm in the borough.

Oversee and hold key system partners to account for the development and delivery of an integrated treatment system and pathways of care for alcohol misuse.

Champion the early identification of those who are affected by alcohol, by connecting people into the right support at the right time. Be accountable for ensuring services and organisations identify those who are affected by someone else’s drinking at an early stage and refer them into the right support service.

The substance misuse strategic commissioning group and the Community Safety Partnership are responsible for implementing the delivery of this priority. The Board’s role is to scrutinise, challenge and intervene where necessary.

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CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF HARMFUL DRINKING IN CAMDEN

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Camden experiences a substantial amount of alcohol-related harm. As well as the more immediate negative effects associated with binge drinking, street drinking and anti-social behaviour, there are a range of chronic problems which are less obvious. These include alcohol-related hospital admissions, an increase in long- term health conditions and domestic violence.

In London it is estimated that at least 50% of adults who are alcohol-dependent also have a mental illness. Camden mental health and substance misuse commissioners are working with Camden and Islington Mental Health Trust to improve the approach for supporting those with mental health and substance misuse problems.

There is also evidence which identifies an increase in consumption in older people. This has been linked to an overall risk in loneliness and isolation in this older age group.

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WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT?

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Although there is a clear link with mental health, it’s is obvious the impacts of alcohol misuse go far beyond this. Therefore, the inclusion of tackling alcohol related harm as a specific priority is important in acknowledging these wider impacts, in order to focus on the underlying problems in the interest of aiming to reduce harmful drinking.