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Alcohol and Drug Use: People Receiving Care, Relatives and Visitors in Care Homes Policy

Introduction

This policy is intended to set out the values, principles and policies underpinning {{org_field_name}}’s approach to potential drug and alcohol use by service users, relatives and visitors. The policy is written with the healthcare needs of service users in mind and the health and safety issues the home must address as part of its duty of care.

The policy is consistent with national care standards that promote service users’ choice and independence rights to make their own lifestyle decisions. The home is also mindful of its obligations to observe the laws relating to alcohol consumption and drug misuse and does not tolerate illegal behaviour in any of these respects. The home addresses individual cases of potential alcohol or drug abuse within a risk assessment and management framework.

The policy works on the principle that service users should be able to consume alcohol as they would in their own homes or in their social lives. The home, however, needs to put limits to alcohol use to:

• make sure service users are kept safe from any harm caused by possible alcohol abuse, and
• ensure that the home operates within the law.

As a general principle, the home accepts the idea of responsible drinking, recognising that alcohol use has a role in some residents’ personal lives and in social functions that take place in the home — as it does in the community in general.

Policy Statement

The home does not permit illegal drug use in the home by anybody, including residents, relatives or visitors. Service users and any visitors who are found to be taking illegal drugs will be treated as being in breach of their contract and will be made aware that both they and the home will be breaking the law.

The home will contact the police if it finds any illegal substances in the home which can be attributed to their being taken by service users or their visitors.

{{org_field_name}} recognises that moderate alcohol consumption forms a normal and enjoyable part of many people’s lives. It therefore enables any service users who wish to spend leisure time at local public houses to do so subject to risk assessments concerning their personal safety while out, as would be made under any similar circumstances.

Service users are also permitted to use alcohol for their own personal and social use in the home subject to the following restrictions.

1. The use of alcohol must be reasonable and not excessive.
2. The use of alcohol must not present a problem to other residents, their relatives and visitors or to staff.
3. Alcohol must be securely kept in residents’ rooms, preferably in locked cupboards or wardrobes.
4. In some instances, service users might ask the home to keep their alcohol supplies, which will then be locked away, looked after and accessed as are other possessions placed in the home’s safekeeping.

The management of alcohol use must include consideration of possible contra-indications with medication or medical conditions and inappropriate access, which will be subject to risk assessments within the person’s care plan. In situations where there is concern identified in relation to the use or misuse of alcohol, discussion should take place with the resident, family members (with agreement of the client), GP and named worker.

Any resident who shows signs of having an alcohol problem will be encouraged to obtain medical help and treatment to bring it under control. Any interventions made to reduce the problem will be included in the person’s plan of care and subject to regular reassessment and review. The home will work closely with the person’s medical team to find a satisfactory solution to any difficulties the person has been having.

All new service users are informed of the home’s drugs and alcohol policy during their introductory visit or during their initial interview and must, prior to moving into the home, sign a resident’s contract agreeing to the restrictions on alcohol and drug use imposed by the home. The home reserves the right to refuse admission to any prospective new service users with established drug or alcohol problems.

Disputes arising with service users or their relatives from the drugs or alcohol policy are addressed initially through a meeting with the resident, relatives (where appropriate), their key worker (if there is one) and the manager of the home. Subsequent actions will be determined by the meeting’s outcomes. Where other service users put in a complaint, eg as a result of someone behaving inappropriately under the influence of alcohol, the matter will be investigated by following the home’s complaints procedure. Individuals who refuse to accept the “no drugs or alcohol” policy are directed to the drugs and alcohol clause in the contract of residence.

Where there are indications of there being potential alcohol problems amongst service users as a group, the home will seek to provide information through posters and leaflets, etc on the health implications of excessive drinking and the availability of support and treatment services.

Alcoholic beverages may be provided during meals and other social functions in the home within reasoned amounts and under supervision. The home might also seek from time to time permission to run a bar in the home as part of a social function. If it does this it will comply with all licensing laws and associated health and safety regulations.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next review date: this policy is reviewed annually (every 12 months). When needed, this policy is also updated in response to changes in legislation, regulation, best practices, or organisational changes.

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