Warnings over the battle to be faced

An alcohol group last night praised Charles Kennedy's announcement that he has sought help for his drink problem as a medical expert warned that his fight to overcome it would not be easy.

Don Shenker of Alcohol Concern said: "Charles Kennedy's case demonstrates that alcohol dependency affects all sections of society. "We applaud Charles Kennedy for taking this step to own up to any problems he may have, and we require more public education to tackle the stigma attached to alcohol dependency so that people can get into treatment early." Mr Shenker said one million people in the UK are alcohol dependent, but only one in 18 of these receives treatment. He called on the government to provide more funding for alcohol services and said GPs must be provided with training to help them identify alcohol abusers more quickly.

Dr Mary Church, a GP in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said people addicted to alcohol often find it very difficult to stop because of the withdrawal symptoms involved. "Problem drinkers have to seek help and be able to admit that they have a problem in the first instance," she said. "I would refer anyone who attends my surgery with such a problem to visit someone specially trained in addiction. "Other steps can be taken to prevent the withdrawal symptoms, help them not to drink again, and prevent some of the long-term effects of alcohol. "Once the worst of these symptoms are under control, counselling or support from an addiction team would be arranged."

Dr Church added: "A significant percentage of problem drinkers who seek help have a high tendency to relapse after abstinence from alcohol. They will need a lot of support from their friends and family. "Most alcoholics find it easier to stay off alcohol if they don't have a drink at all. Having the occasional drink is far too risky and could lead them to starting again. "There is little doubt Mr Kennedy's fight to overcome his drink problem will not be easy."

The Herald