Desperation of Those with Alcohol
Addiction
By Dr. Fourkan Ali
While not all
alcoholics are immediately recognisable as such, it is possible to tell that
some people are suffering from alcohol
addiction. Typically, those who
have lost everything to their addiction will be living on the streets and may
become quite desperate in terms of getting their hands on alcohol. Some have
even resorted to drinking alcoholic hand wash stolen from hospitals.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed
that there have been numerous thefts of hand wash across hospitals in London,
and the BBC has discovered a gang who have been carrying out similar raids. One
member of the gang, who would only give his first name as Bartlomiej, admitted
that the gang would usually live in squats near hospitals where they would
binge drink.
Readily Available
Bartlomiej admitted that the hand wash is
readily available in hospitals and that the gang members would walk in with
plastic cups and take the gel from the manual dispensers. They would mix the
gel with water and drink it. He said, “You don’t need to drink a lot of it to
get drunk.”
At least three deaths have been attributed to
alcoholic hand wash consumption since 2008, and many hospitals have reported
thefts of the substance. Staff have been told to remain alert to the signs of
people stealing hand wash and drinking it. Hospital incident logs obtained by
the BBC showed a number of incidences of patients with alcoholic hand wash in
their possession or in the process of stealing it. Staff have also been
assaulted by those trying to take the substance.
Prevention
In some hospitals, staff have had to remove
alcoholic hand gel from various areas such as outpatients, which is non-clinical
and has a lower risk of infection. There is even a pilot programme in place at
the Royal London Hospital to see if non-alcoholic hand gel can be as effective
in the prevention of MRSA and other infections.
Some hospitals have started using foam wash
rather than gel, or a gel with a much thicker consistency, and most have
installed dispensers that can be locked.
Potentially Fatal
Leading GP Dr Sarah Jarvis has warned of the
potentially fatal consequences of drinking alcoholic hand gel. She said, “These
alcohol gels are not made to be drunk. Therefore, they will have all sorts of
things added to them which will be very toxic.”
She also warned of how drinking alcoholic
handwash can be even more dangerous to alcoholics who already have inflammation
of their stomachs. She said they had a higher risk of bleeding and alcohol
poisoning, which can lead to death.
Importance of
Alcoholic Hand Wash
Alcoholic hand wash is in place in hospitals
around the country to help prevent infection. A spokesperson for NHS England
said, “Hospitals have alcohol hand wash to protect patients, the public and NHS
staff, and to support high standards of cleanliness.”
Dangers of Alcohol
Addiction
Those with a severe alcohol addiction may get
to the stage where they have lost their family and home and have become so
desperate to get their hands on the substance they crave that they will take
any means necessary.
Without a regular income, many of these people
will beg or steal and, unfortunately for a number of these individuals, drinking
alcoholic handwash is the only way to get the high they need. They are
therefore putting themselves in extreme danger of developing serious health
problems.
Help for Addiction
Alcohol addiction is an illness but as with
all illnesses, it can be treated. If you or a loved one is suffering because of
alcohol addiction, it is important to know that help is available. Addiction
Helper can put you in touch with a suitable treatment provider based on your
circumstances and needs. All you have to do is call us today, and we will
immediately begin working on your behalf to ensure you can start your journey
to sobriety.
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