NHS must get the cash it needs for vital prescription pill helpline

Alarming new figures show that around two million people in England have been on antidepressants for at least five years. But why does this matter if they need them, you may ask?

The point is that while these drugs may be helpful in the short term, there are no good studies supporting their long-term use. But the study does show that about a quarter of those who take antidepressants experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

That’s potentially a lot of people, with over eight million adults taking these drugs in England alone.

The new figures emerged on a BBC Panorama program broadcast last night, following a freedom of information request to the NHS.

For many people, this comes at a terrible personal cost: The program also highlighted the extreme suffering of people trying to get off antidepressants (particularly the most commonly prescribed, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs).

The experience can be so debilitating and long-lasting that many of those affected lose their families and livelihoods. Others lose their lives – for some, suicide is the only escape from the horror of withdrawal. Many can’t cope when they try to come off the drugs and end up using them for life.

It’s not just antidepressants: People can experience life-altering withdrawal symptoms from other dependency-forming drugs, including benzodiazepines (commonly used for sleep), as well as opioids and gabapentinoids (commonly used for pain). And the longer you take the pills, the harder it can be to get rid of them.

What’s in a name?

The origin of disorders with quirky names

This week: gamekeeper thumb

This condition refers to an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament, which runs on the inside of the elbow to the wrist where the thumb meets the palm.

The ligament allows the thumb to pinch and grasp things. Coined in the 1950s, the name referred to a chronic injury seen in Scottish gamekeepers, believed to have been caused over time by using their thumb and forefinger to break a rabbit’s neck says Gavin Schaller, a hand and wrist surgeon. at the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

If the ligament is sprained, wearing a splint can heal it, which can take about six weeks. But if it is torn, surgery is often needed.

The issue of antidepressant withdrawal problems has been known for decades — and the government itself has known about it for years, too, thanks to its own official assessment published in 2019.

This review of evidence was produced by Public Health England under pressure from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Prescribed Drug Dependence and a campaign in the Daily Mail.

The survey found that 26 percent of the adult population of England had used at least one addictive substance in the past year.

It also revealed that the prescription rate is 1.5 times higher in women, and more painkillers are prescribed in areas of social deprivation.

It found that patients were not warned about the risks of these drugs, that their withdrawal symptoms were not recognized but misdiagnosed by doctors, and that they did not have access to the right support.

The Public Health England review made several key recommendations, including the provision of withdrawal support services for patients, in addition to a national 24-hour helpline and website. These services are essential because they help people come off drugs slowly, which is the safest way to get off dependency-producing drugs.

They also support people in crisis when they experience severe symptoms, which can be a lifesaver.

Public Health England’s call for a national helpline and website was endorsed by several leading medical institutions, including the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Since then, NHS England has published guidelines to encourage health authorities to call in appropriate withdrawal services in their area.

But no new funding has been provided for these services. In addition, no helpline has been set up. Even worse, existing charities that provide withdrawal aid are being removed from their funding as NHS reins in their spending.

As the Mail has previously reported, one of the latest of these, the Bristol and District Tranquillizer Project, will be forced to close its doors in August.

Research shows that about a quarter of those taking antidepressants experience severe withdrawal symptoms (File image)

Meanwhile, an additional £421 million was recently announced to support treatment services for illicit drugs and alcohol. This is of course welcome and much needed for local authorities to improve addiction care.

But this funding should also be extended to prescription drug withdrawal services, especially as our research shows that the NHS wastes more than £500 million each year on unnecessary prescriptions for these drugs, perhaps leaving hundreds of thousands of people dependent on drugs they shouldn’t. have to take.

Today, in a letter to the British Medical Journal, Lord Crisp (former chief executive of the NHS) and Baroness Hollins (former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Medical Association) join other experts in calling “an urgent appeal on the UK government to fund and implement drug rehabilitation support services, including a national helpline’.

“The funding was [previously] refused for the helpline, despite the low cost of facilities,” they write.

People can experience life-altering withdrawal symptoms from other dependency-forming drugs, including benzodiazepines (commonly used for sleep)

“That is why, despite all the evidence, reviews, media attention and public awareness, nothing has changed. In fact, the situation has worsened.’

The NHS has a clear moral responsibility to help those who have been harmed simply by taking the medicines prescribed. The magnitude of the problem and the terrible impact on people’s lives is now known.

It is therefore time for the government to open its checkbook, fulfill its moral obligation and fund the services it so desperately needs.

n Luke Montagu is a spokesperson for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence and helped draft the official NICE guidelines for tackling drug addiction and withdrawal.

Under the microscope

Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, 82, takes our health quiz

Can you run up the stairs?

My stairs are very steep and take up three floors – I can’t run, but I can walk up them. Going up and down every day is like a workout and my doctor thinks they keep me fit!

I see a personal trainer twice a week for an hour at a time via Zoom. I try to keep myself in shape.

Do you get five a day?

Generally yes. I try to eat fruit for breakfast and lots of vegetables for dinner.

Ever been on a diet?

Never, I’m too sweet. I am currently on a doctor’s prescription to cut down on sugar (I am borderline diabetic). I am 10th (63.5kg) and 4ft 10in.

Any vices?

Sugar! My favorite sweet treat is apple rhubarb crumble. I don’t drink or smoke so it could be worse.

Worst illness?

Bile duct cancer. I was diagnosed in 2020 when the world went into first lockdown. I’m in remission now, but it’s been a journey. I found the lump in my bile duct, near my stomach, while doing yoga with my good friend Andrew Logan [the performance artist and sculptor]. I had no symptoms other than that afternoon, my stomach just felt full and I hadn’t eaten all day. I received treatment [three months of chemotherapy] just at the right time.

Family ailments?

My mother, Beatrice, was a teacher at Medway College of Art. She was an exceptional woman and my inspiration. It was very sad that she died of lung cancer at the age of 58 – she was a chain smoker, 60 a day.

Popping pills?

I take prescription drugs and aspirin.

Tried alternative remedies?

Not really, but a good hot water bottle will help ease the pain and calm you down when you’re not feeling your best.

Ever had plastic surgery?

No, but I’m not against it for other people. I just chose to age somewhat gracefully.

Ever been depressed?

Sometimes. Sadness comes when I hit a block with ideas and designs.

Hangover medicine?

I’ve only had a hangover twice in my life. The first was when I left the Royal College of Art and went back to an end of year party and everyone kept showering me with drinks! It wasn’t worth it as I couldn’t get up for work at 8:30am as usual. I have not drunk alcohol since I was 26.

What keeps you awake?

Right now it’s knee pain – I have arthritis and I’ve already had two hip replacements.

Do you want to live forever?

Not really. Life is sacred, but without death I don’t think you would live it so fully!

• Zandra has started a design collaboration with bedding company Lola and Veranda; Go to: lolaandveranda.com

Interview by YVONNE SWANN