Using technology to combat alcoholism and provide support for all

Very few people who need support to cut down their drinking are able to access that support when and where they need it, and those who do access alcohol services are overwhelmingly male, older, and white. Support for prevention, intervention and treatment should be available to anyone and everyone facing the devastating effects of alcoholism.

I have this challenge

the problem

Alcoholism affects people from all walks of life. An estimated 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder in the United States, but less than 10% of them receive treatment. Technology has made it so support can be right at your fingertips. Assistance for an addict, or for the family supporting them doesn't have to be hard to find and should be available equally to everyone.

ideas

HAGA, the alcohol action charity, recognizes that innovative use of technology is required to tackle this inequality. In 2012, HAGA launched www.dontbottleitup.org.uk, an online alcohol prevention, early intervention, and treatment portal. DontBottleitUp offers a quick, easy and confidential range of options available 24/7 to anyone with access to the internet.

attributions

https://www.socialtech.org.uk/projects/dontbottleitup/

https://talbottcampus.com/alcoholism-statistics/

Emily Nelson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-nelson-bbaba7183/

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