The Manchester Detoxification Centre

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Abstract
Summary: The development of the first purpose built hospital‐based detoxification centre (the Manchester Detoxification Centre) in England and Wales is described. The centre opened in 1977 taking police referrals only; however police referrals have been insufficient to fill the centre. There appear to have been two principal reasons for this, the lack of police resources including transport and an unwillingness on the part of the majority of drunken offenders to enter the centre (admission being voluntary).During the first year of operation there was an over‐representation of Irish and Scottish males amongst patients who were predominantly middle‐aged and male. Apart from the period 6 a.m.‐12 midday patients were admitted throughout a 24‐hour period. The majority of patients demonstrated minimal withdrawal symptoms, 40 per cent co‐operated with plans for after‐care and approximately 25 per cent of these were referred for specialist alcoholism treatment; homeless patients were more likely to stay as required compared with those who had a known address. During the year following the opening of the centre there was a fall in the annual rate of drunken arrests not accountable by the number of patients entering the centre.

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