15 November 2018
Researchers:
Dr Katherine I. Morley1,2, Prof Michael T. Lynskey1, Dr Giulia Toti1,3*, Ms Pia Singh1*, Dr Nicola J. Kalk1, Ms Carol-Ann Getty1, Dr Lindsey A. Hines1,4*, Ms Stephanie Fincham-Campbell1
1National Addiction Centre, King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, 4 Windsor Walk, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8BB, United Kingdom.
2Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, 235 Bouverie St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia.
3University of Houston Department of Computer Science, Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall, 3551 Cullen Blvd., Houston, TX 77204-3010, USA.
4Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, VIC 3052, Australia.
*Indicates author was affiliated to King’s College London when working on this project; current institution provided where available.
Key findings
- Many patients in treatment for alcohol and drug dependence have modifiable risk factors for liver disease; over half engage in hazardous alcohol use, and approximately a quarter have injected drugs, with a similar percentage having hepatitis C.
- Clinical staff view the major obstacles to treatment for liver disease risk factors as low client prioritisation of overall health and lack of understanding of the consequences of viral infections and alcohol use.
- Staff also view clients’ unstable living situations and poor mental health as obstacles to treatment.
