A KELTY woman hospitalised several times after almost 15 years of excessive drinking is receiving help from a new Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD) service.

Diane (not her real name) said she was lucky to be alive and admitted, “My house was full of empty bottles and I wasn’t taking great care of myself.” She drank spirits for years after falling vulnerable to financial exploitation and being targeted within her own community.

Unable to cope, she turned to alcohol and was in serious trouble before being admitted to West Fife’s new ARBD service in February (the team is pictured).

“I wasn’t in a good place when I first became involved with the ARBD service,” she said.

“Things were out of control and I really felt like I was on the slippery slope.

“I was drinking my problems away rather than confronting them and my life was all over the place.

“Since the folks from ARBD service became involved, things have been looking up.

“I take each day as it comes and I feel much better about myself. I worry that if I hadn’t got their help, I might not still be here now.” The service, led by community mental health nurses, provides assessment, case management and support to those struggling with ARBD.

Individuals who have had problems with harmful drinking and show signs of cognitive impairment can be referred and admitted.

After being piloted in the Levenmouth area in 2011, the ARBD service was rolled out in West Fife earlier this year and almost 30 patients have made use of it since then.

Since being admitted, Diane has had daily contact with people who are there to help her, as well as attending the ARBD social group. She feels more valued now and is attempting to rebuild the relationships she has with family and friends.

“I can’t say that things are perfect or that I won’t have another drink – that would be daft. I know I’ve got a long way to go and I have plenty more bridges to mend but it’s comforting to know that there is support there for me if and when I need it.” The ARBD team works with colleagues from psychiatry, occupational therapy, addiction services, social work and the voluntary sector to establish a tailored package of support to assist patients to live as independently as possible.

In the past patients who continued to drink may have lost out on the care they require. Abstinence is a vital component in promoting recovery from ARBD and so individuals are expected to show some commitment to achieving this goal, however, continuing drinkers are not excluded from accessing the service.