The number of alcohol and drug abusers being treated by mental hospitals has leapt by almost a third in five years.   Doctors have also charted a rising number of patients being sectioned because of psychiatric problems – many in private hospitals at NHS expense.
Critics last night blamed the binge drink and drug culture for creating more mental health disorders, while cuts in NHS beds are increasing dependency on the private sector.  Critics blame binge drink and drug culture for creating more mental health disorders
A report by three psychiatrists in the British Medical Journal says there is concern about an era of ‘re-institutionalisation’ within mental hospitals.
The number of hospital beds dropped from 150,000 in the 1950s to less than 55,000 in 1995 in favour of community care but demand appears to be rising, they say.   The number of sectioned patients – taken into hospital under compulsory orders – has increased by 20 per cent over the last decade.
The psychiatrists found a 29 per cent rise in admissions by alcohol and drug abusers since 2003.  They say the numbers have changed the environment on psychiatric wards with reports of patients with depression feeling intimidated and even attacked by those with drink and drug problems.
Tories claimed the increase was not being helped by Labour ‘mixed messages’ on the dangers of drugs and its rolling out of 24-hour drinking.

Source:  www.MailOnline  Oct.2008