Rise in number of new addiction cases

SINGAPORE — Two hospitals here have seen more new addiction cases in recent years.

At the Institute of Mental Health’s National Addictions Management Service, new cases increased by 17 per cent between its 2013 and 2015 financial years, from 1,556 to 1,819. The breakdown of various types of addiction was not available for Financial Year (FY) 2015, which ran from April 2015 to March 2016.

From FY2013 to FY2014, new cases of drug addiction rose by nearly 12 per cent from 591 to 661. New alcohol addiction cases rose from 415 to 433 (about 4 per cent), while new gambling addiction cases rose from 418 to 526 (about 26 per cent).

At Changi General Hospital — which treats people with alcohol, sleeping pill and gambling addictions — the bulk of cases seen are for alcohol use disorders. New inpatient and outpatient cases rose from 313 to 368 from 2013 to 2015, although there was a dip in 2014 (286 cases). New outpatient cases have decreased, but inpatient cases have increased.

CGH’s principal addiction counsellor Ng Yoke Chiang said the increase is due to counsellors screening all inpatients for alcohol use disorders from 2010. Some who were warded for falls, hallucination or gastrointestinal issues were found to have alcohol addiction, for instance. Many were middle-aged, he said.

The number of inpatient cases (both new and repeat) with alcohol addiction rose 27 per cent, from 259 in 2013, to 329 in 2015.

As part of its community efforts, CGH works with the Health Promotion Board and family service centres. It trains staff from family service centres to identify and provide counselling on alcohol addiction, and to educate family members of those with addiction issues. It also refers its patients to organisations such as WE CARE Community Services and The Silver Lining Community Services, said Mr Ng. NEO CHAI CHIN