Heartbeat: New AA service for inpatients

October 11, 2019

A new service has been launched for inpatients to find out more about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Two representatives from the organisation meet patients every Thursday at City Hospital to offer them insight and information about AA and what to expect if they were to attend an official meeting.

Jim, a member of AA and one of two people leading the informal meetings said: “It’s not your usual style of AA meeting where people sit around talking about the issues they have with either drugs or alcohol.

“Instead inpatients are flagged up to us by the alcohol team and we are able to have an informal chat with them about the service and how it could help them. It’s about planting a seed.

“It’s an opportunity for them to ask questions too. Already we have seen positive outcomes with one patient attending an official meeting after having a conversation with us about AA.

“If staff feel they have a patient who would benefit from this service then we would urge them to contact the alcohol team to find out more about how we can help.”

Arlene Copland, Lead Alcohol Nurse, said: “I am very excited that AA is coming into the hospital to talk to people who have issues with alcohol.

“It can be very hard to address alcohol misuse on your own, so support from AA can make such a difference. There are many misconceptions about AA so this meeting gives opportunity to find out what this service can offer and what benefit it can make to a person’s recovery.”