PATIENTS grappling with drug and alcohol problems can now seek help and advice from a nurse who is dedicated to lending support.

Many people experience a shocking wake-up call when they find themselves in hospital and realise how much their misuse of substances has damaged their health.

Karen Williams is now on hand to help as York Hospital's new substance misuse liaison nurse, working with the Primary Care Trust's community addictions team.

Selby and York PCT's director of mental health and social inclusion, Garry Millard, said: "Some patients admitted to hospital may not have been brought in specifically because of drug or alcohol misuse problems, but these problems may be a factor in other health conditions.

"Karen can offer direct help and support and can also work with other health and social care professionals to make sure each patient gets the right help to deal with their drug or alcohol issues."

Karen said: "Very often when people come into hospital it is a wake-up call. I often see people who are scared and shocked that their use of drugs or alcohol could have contributed so significantly to their physical health problems.

"It is an opportunity for us to provide information about the potential health effects of their behaviour and to give them an opportunity to change."

She said: "I provide training and education across the trust to staff, nurses, doctors, security... trying to improve understanding about substance misuse in society as a whole because people with drug and alcohol problems are stigmatised and affected by negative attitudes.

"It is my role to raise awareness of the issues and to increase people's understanding of what leads people to turn to drugs and alcohol."

She said the reaction from staff and patients had been very positive.

"Patients often appreciate people broaching the subject with them.

"They might not be ready to independently approach an independent drugs agency, but they are happy to speak to me because I am in the hospital and go up to them for a chat.

"It is a real example of partnership working. I am employed by the PCT but my work is in York Hospital."

Karen, who trained as a nurse, worked for three years at Compass in York and then as a drug and alcohol trainer.

Compass, the free independent service for drug users, also offers help for people in York with substance misuse problems by providing advice, information and support.

The service is open to anyone concerned about their own drug use or that of another person and aims to involve people who use a variety of substances from cannabis to heroin.

Updated: 10:36 Friday, July 15, 2005