Increase in deaths of those undergoing addiction treatment in Bradford

Department of Health and Social Care figures show there were 107 deaths among adults undergoing drug addiction treatment in Bradford between April 2019 and March 2022.

This was up from 78 who died during the three years prior, from April 2016 to March 2019.

It was also up from 97 deaths recorded between 2018 and 2021.

Office for Health and Improvement Disparities figures also show premature deaths from alcohol-related conditions led to a potential 4,607 years of life being lost in Bradford in 2020 – up from 4,196 in 2019, and the highest number since 2016, when records began.

Of these, 3,175 (69 per cent) were a result of alcohol-related deaths among men, and 1,432 (31 per cent) among women.

Bradford Council says it is shocked by the figures and that reducing harm and death caused by alcohol and drug use is an "absolute priority".

Last November, Oasis Recovery Bradford, a UK Addiction Treatment Group facility, revealed that calls for help had risen in the past three months due to the cost of living crisis.

Consultant Treatment Lead at Oasis, Nuno Albuquerque (Image: UGC)

Nuno Albuquerque, Consultant Treatment Lead at Oasis, said: "It is shameful that so many people from Bradford who are taking the first brave step to being free from addiction are then losing their lives whilst in community treatment services.

"This has never happened at Oasis Bradford."

Mr Albuquerque said that, unfortunately, years of funding cuts to public substance treatment services had left services having to care for more people with fewer resources.

"It's those most vulnerable in our community who have paid the ultimate price; their lives," he added.

"We urge anyone in Bradford who is struggling with drugs and alcohol to not be afraid and to ask for help. We're here 24/7 to help and support you."

Potential years of life lost are calculated by multiplying the total number of alcohol-related deaths occurring at each age by the number of remaining years left to live, according to life expectancy estimates.

Alcohol-related deaths include those specifically caused by alcohol, such as alcoholic liver disease, and diseases made more likely by extensive alcohol consumption, including heart disease or various types of cancer.

Across England, 7,429 people died while in contact with treatment services in the three years to March 2022 – a 26 per cent increase on the 5,889 deaths recorded in the previous three-year period.

The most recent estimates of opiate and crack cocaine use in local areas show there were thought to be 4,710 people using the drugs in Bradford in 2016-17.

That was the equivalent of 14 users per 10,000 people in the area – well above the national rate of 8.9 per 10,000.

Across England, 293,980 years of life were lost due to alcohol-related conditions in males in 2020.

This fell to 138,060 years among females, though both are at their highest level since records began.

Separate Office for National Statistics figures show that deaths as a direct result of alcohol consumption rose during the pandemic.

Across England, there were 7,600 alcohol-specific deaths in 2021 – the highest number since records began in 2001 and a 30% increase from 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.

In Yorkshire and The Humber, 877 people died from alcohol-specific causes – up from 730 in 2019 and also a record.

It meant 16.7 per 100,000 people in the region died due to alcohol in 2021.

The Department for Health and Social care said it is taking action to "support those most at risk, with a strong programme underway to address alcohol harms in the UK which has already helped tens of thousands of people".

A spokesperson said: “Drug and alcohol addiction can have a tragic impact on people’s health, families and lives.

“We are committed to tackling the root causes of substance misuse with our 10-year Drugs Strategy."

They add the department has invested £95 million of new funding to rebuild drug and alcohol misuse treatment centres and services in England this year and is also funding specialist alcohol care teams in hospitals with the highest need.

A Bradford Council Spokesperson said: “Reducing harm and death caused by alcohol and/or drug use is an absolute priority for Bradford Council and its partners and the rise in deaths is both shocking and sad.

“While we don’t have a definitive answer as to why this increase has occurred, action is being taken to make improvements to treatment and recovery services, which in turn, should support preventing and reducing harm and death.

"For example, improvements are being made to how people can access treatment and support with more treatment places being made available; services such as mental health, NHS, housing and employment are working closely together to make sure those needing support can access the full range as needed; enhanced support is being provided for people with multiple and complex needs including those who are experiencing homelessness.”