April 11, 2016 10.15 am This story is over 95 months old

Former Lincoln alcoholic who called 999 39 times in three months makes inspiring recovery

A former Lincoln alcoholic who drank 12 litres of cider a day and constantly called 999 with threats of self harming is speaking out about his road to recovery. Adam [whose name is change to protect his identity], 37, admitted he had alcohol dependency issues, called emergency services 39 times in just three months with…
The Lincoln teen appealed to MP Karl McCartney for help.

A former Lincoln alcoholic who drank 12 litres of cider a day and constantly called 999 with threats of self harming is speaking out about his road to recovery.

Adam [whose name is change to protect his identity], 37, admitted he had alcohol dependency issues, called emergency services 39 times in just three months with threats of self harming as he was lonely and suicidal.

Thanks to the Blue Light Project, funded by Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, he’s received help from specialist staff.

Adam has now significantly reduced his alcohol intake, got on top of his finances, changed his diet and found emotional support through the project.

The Blue Light Project team say he has not made any further 999 calls and that he is a happier, healthier person.

Alan Hardwick, Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Adam is just one person we have helped.

“In the first few months this project has been running, we’ve helped three more of Lincolnshire’s most prolific drinkers get their life back on track, whilst at the same time reducing their reliance on the emergency services.”

Superintendent Mark Housley, Public Protection Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “We can see that by approaching these drinkers in a different way – we get results.

“We owe it to the communities we serve to think differently.

“Instead of just pushing them towards treatment services – which often doesn’t work – If we ask ourselves why? Why are they drinking like this? Is it because they are homeless, have no job or no money, problems with their family, or just feel they have no future?

“We can see that by working with Adam, if we understand the issues behind the person – we can get them on the right track, so helping him, reducing the amount of anti-social behaviour on our streets and keeping the emergency services free for the people who really need them.”