The Department for Education has released new statistics on the number of parents and children living across London referred to and assessed by social services between 2018 and 2019, revealing thousands of households were already severely abusing drugs or alcohol even before the COVID-19 lockdown struck. With the increased amount of substance abuse data found in London, whilst the Causes of alcoholism
might be wide and varied depending on individual situations, there is no doubt that severe steps would need to be taken to curb it.

Similarly, further steps may need to be laid out for the ones who are moving towards addiction. They could be asked to seek help from certified medical experts (similar to the ones at https://www.aristarecovery.com/treatment-programs/medication-assisted-treatment/ in the States).

The figures show that between 2018 and 2019, 83,420 referrals were made to social care services across London which required further assessment, a figure which has risen by nearly 15% in 3 years, when 73,500 referrals were made back in 2015/16.

The data is split further to show the split between Inner and Outer London referrals in 2018/19; Inner London referrals account for 40% (34,000) and Outer London referrals 60% (49,420).

During these household assessments, data has been revealed as to how many times a concerning factor was identified (each assessment may have multiple concerning factors recorded for it).

In 2018/19, Alcohol misuse was identified at the end of 10,000 London assessments, accounting for (an aggregated) 12% of cases, and an increase of 5% in three years (when 9,600 alcohol factors were identified during 2015/16 assessments).

In 2018/19, Drug misuse was identified at the end of 11,700 assessments, accounting for (an aggregated) 15% of cases and an increase of 6% in three years (when 11,100 drug factors were identified during 2015/16 assessments).

Other concerning factors identified at the end of household assessments in 2018/19 across the whole of London included domestic violence (36,010 times), mental health (28,550 times), neglect (12,430 times) and physical abuse (11,110 times).

Drug and alcohol addiction experts UKAT warns these numbers will more than likely ‘tip the scale in the next report’ given the current Coronavirus crisis lockdown;

“This report is truly saddening as it paints such a graphic and telling picture of how some families living across London are living”, explains Nuno Albuqeruque, Group Treatment Lead at UKAT.

He continues;

“We must remember that these aren’t just numbers; they’re children, parents and carers whose situation last year was so concerning it was passed to social services to explore and support. Worse still, more and more referrals are coming through every year.

“Our immediate concern now is how much worse their situations may have become since the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced. Those who were living with domestic violence, neglect, physical abuse and drug and alcohol abuse now have nowhere to go, nowhere to escape to.

“Unfortunately, we’d expect to see the number of referrals into social care and support services rise during this time, particularly for alcohol misuse.”

The UK Addiction Treatment Group has also seen a stark rise in the number of people using their 24/7 online chat tool, people who are struggling with life at home, who are turning to alcohol and drug misuse, and reaching out for help.

“We’re speaking with more people than ever about their struggle with drugs and alcohol and how the pressures from the current crisis is affecting their relationship with these substances. Many people are using them as coping methods and for some, this will progress into dependency and addiction and will remain with them long after the lockdown measures are relieved.

“We urge everyone living across London to ask for help if they feel that they need it. Not everything has stopped during the crisis; support services are still there to support you. We all need to come together, be kind and to help those most vulnerable in our communities.”