Stu’s story

Stu has many physical health conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver and other issues due to his alcohol dependency over the years. He also has historical fractures to both legs and wrists and metal plates in both legs, affecting his daily mobility.

When he first came to Alabaré, he was an ‘entrenched alcoholic’ and stated he ‘did not want to live’. He was disconnected from staff and outside support services. He had no bank account and required daily care support. The Alabaré team worked with him to access the support he was entitled to, opened a bank account, and set up a budget to maintain his benefit income and avoid accommodation arrears, which had previously affected his tenancies.

On admission, Stu was consuming up to 448 units of alcohol a week, he would often become doubly incontinent, and his mobility would be seriously affected, leaving him at a high risk of falling. Often, Stu would forget to take his medications, which in turn would leave him in pain, and he would self-medicate with alcohol. The team regulated and ensured the pharmacy provided his medications weekly, enabling him to manage his health conditions better. Over time, Stu has reduced his alcohol intake to between 16 to 28 units per day. During this time, his drug habit has also reduced. As Stu often expressed a desire to give up alcohol, he was signposted to Turning Point, which he attends regularly, as well as engaging in further abstinence sessions with Alabaré staff.