How Well Are Patients Doing Post-Alcohol Detox In Bristol? Results From The Outcomes Study

Bristol Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services (BSDAS) carry out over 450 community-based detoxifications per year, with 85% of pa - tients being alcohol free after the 14-day program. But there is a paucity of information collected on the different treatment pathways offered after initial detoxification. This paper presents the results of an observational study that followed a group of 12 patients from the start of their community detox for 9 months, collecting information about outcomes. In respect of drinking behaviour, results post-alco-hol detoxifications were poor. Three months post detox, 8 out of the 12 participants had relapsed to drinking. Six participants had a sec- ond, and one participant had a third detox within the 9-month follow up period. Given the burden of alcohol use disorder (AUD) on the population of Bristol, this study is an important step on the journey of developing new and innovative treatments for this population. And in the context of the current Covid 19 pandemic, attention to the issue of best management of AUD has become even more pertinent.