Developing a controlled drinking programme for people with learning disabilities living in conditions of medium security

This article describes the development of an Alcohol Awareness programme based on a controlled drinking model within a medium secure service for people with Learning Disabilities (LDs). The broad therapeutic context of the service is described, together with some of the limited literature in relation to alcohol use and people with LDs. The origins of the programme, derived from working in a mainstream Alcohol Treatment Unit, are then described, followed by the rationale for development of the programme in the context of a medium secure service for people with an LD. The content of the programme is outlined and current and future issues are considered.