Have a family member in a similar situation. Mental health won't touch her cos she's an 'alcoholic', alcohol services say she's mental and needs mental health professionals. When she was sectioned on a 28 day hold they randomly released her after 8 days without telling the next of kin who had signed the 'sectioning' paperwork which is unlawful. The family have tried asking the police, hospitals, social services and the courts for help to no avail. They don't want to do know, just keep arresting her a couple of times a week, charging her, bringing her to court and then discharging her on a "behave yourself" instruction for it to begin all over again. One day she's going to hurt someone or seriously hurt herself/die and it will be too late! Why in 2008 are we still so stupid as a society not to understand and TREAT the dual issue of addiction and mental health problems?!