Zero alcohol drinks
Cans of Suntory Holdings' "Strong Zero Dry" vodka tonic are displayed with other ready-to-drink cans of alcohol as a man shops at a supermarket in Tokyo Japanese brewers will release their longest-ever line-up of canned cocktails this summer as fizzy concoctions come to the fore in efforts to offset a decade of declining beer sales. Picture taken June 29, 2014. REUTERS

The Oakley Trinity Housing Association set aside its plan to operate a 24-bed facility for alcohol-dependent people on its Nazareth House site in Bishop Street. The group scrapped the idea due to negative response from residents who opposed the project.

The planned facility was supposed to be built on the former site of a care home in Derry.

The association said in a statement to Journal Oaklee Trinity, "The view was expressed that, should the project as proposed be built and occupied, the future tenants of the facility would not be made to feel welcome in the locality."

In view of the residents' opposition, Oakley Trinity said they would not push through with their planned Low Threshold project at the Nazareth House location and instead look for an alternative potential site within Derry where the facility will be accepted by the local community.

Nevertheless, Oaklee still plan to buy the Nazareth House site where they will instead build a general needs social housing facility for which they would still consult the residents.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan welcomed the decision of the association to heed the sentiments of the community. He said, "It was clear to me that many residents recognized the wider city need for facilities to help address alcohol and other dependencies but questioned the suitability of location and scale of the proposed unit and proximity to other services."

The MP acknowledged the need for more facilities and services to help address alcohol and other dependency problems on a "wide city case for investing in service infrastructure including a detox unit is compelling."

Britain's National Health Service pointed out that support from a community helps alcoholics stop drinking. Depending on the gravity of the alcoholism, some may need to stay for some time in a facility with access to 24-hour medical care to have sufficient assistance with withdrawal symptoms or other problems.

It could be an NHS hospital ward or medical unit. It recommended at least 12 weeks stay in a residential rehab, which is usually best suited for people suffering from medium or high levels of alcohol dependence.

The NHS has listed also on its Web site five support groups for alcoholics. These are Alcoholics Anonymous, AI-Anon Family Groups, Addaction, Adfam and The National Association for Children of Alcoholic.

It also has a national alcohol helpline which is available on weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 4 pm. The helpline's number is 0800 917 8282.

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BioCoRx's first component involves an outpatient medical procedure to embed a biodegradable naltrexone implant under the abdominal skin and fatty tissue. The implant then delivers therapeutic levels of the antagonist drug, naltrexone, into the bloodstream which can curb one's cravings for alcohol or opioids.

The second tier of the program involves a private, one-on-one coaching program to address the specific needs of the alcoholics and addicts, as well as to help him or her plan for a life free from substance abuse.

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