More people checked into Banbury-based rehab over Christmas than ever before

New data released by a local Banbury-based residential drug and alcohol treatment centre has revealed that there has been a huge rise in the number of people from across Oxfordshire checking in to rehab for drug and alcohol addiction over Christmas and at the start of the new year than in previous years.

They say this could be down to 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic ‘tipping people over the edge’ when it comes to misusing drugs and alcohol, causing them to realise that they need to get professional help in order to be free from addiction this year.

Banbury Lodge in Oxfordshire- ran by the UK Addiction Treatment Group - admitted 86 clients between December 1, 2020 and January 10, 2021, an average of two per day, compared to just 49 admissions between the same time period of 2019 - a 75 per cent annual rise.

They have also revealed that the majority of the most recent Christmas admissions - 62 per cent - were for alcohol addiction alone, something that the therapists at Banbury Lodge say is after 2020, 'unsurprising.'

The split between men and women checking into rehab has also changed in the last year between December 1, 2020 and January 10, 2021, 35 per cent of admissions were female and 65 per cent male. Between December 1, 2019 and January 10, 2020 however, fewer women checked into treatment for help at just 28 per cent of the admissions, showing that more women than before are getting the professional help they need.

Nuno Albuquerque, head of treatment for Banbury Lodge, said: “What we have seen at Banbury Lodge is a lot of people have really struggled throughout 2020, and this has led to the development of very unhealthy relationships with drugs and alcohol.

"As we approached the end of 2020, more and more people than ever checked into our rehab. They took that all important first step and asked for help.

“We provide critical care intervention, and so we are open 24/7, 365 days a year, including Christmas. Our work doesn’t stop and it was encouraging to see so many people from across the Southeast removing themselves from the temptations of overindulgence at Christmas, and instead prioritising a healthy and addiction-free new year.

“The people we admitted and treated during the last six weeks are now back at home in our local communities, free from addiction and embarking on their journey to recovery. What better New Year's resolution is there than that?”

For help and support with drug and alcohol addiction at Banbury Lodge, visit www.banburylodge.com/v72/