Controlled alcohol drinking rooms. Madrid's experience.

Background: The use of alcohol among homeless people is very high and they usually have difficulties in accessing normalised addiction treatment centres. The supervised alcohol consumption rooms in the shelters for homeless people started in Madrid in 2011. The last one was opened in 2022 at the same time as an exclusive shelter for homeless women who have suffered gender-based violence.

Methods: By using agreed indicators, we evaluated the achievement of the different objectives of the people who used the rooms. 

Results: From 2011 to 30 June 2023, a total of 558 people have used the room, 23.5% of them were women. More than 70% of women and men who used these rooms have reduced their drinking and more than 80% have improved indicators of recovery of healthy habits such as hygiene or alimentation.

Conclusions: The approach of addiction care to the shelters for homeless people has allowed them to reduce their alcohol intake and has improved their quality of life.