Stark new statistics on Scotland's deepening alcohol problem
This latest figures shows that while the volume of alcohol sold is decreasing, it remains higher than the amount sold per adult in England and Wales.
The data also reveals stark inequalities between those from the most and least deprived areas in Scotland.
People living in Scotland's most deprived areas are six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from causes wholly related to alcohol compared to those in the least deprived communities.
READ MORE:
Swinney urged to act in bid to reverse near-record alcohol deaths
Programme for Government: Alcohol ban on trains to end
Scotland's drug and alcohol deaths remain among worst in Europe
Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said: "Today's updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol.
'If current drinking patterns continue, we project a 21% increase in alcohol-related disease burden by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
'Every week, people across Scotland are drinking well above the recommended 14-unit limit, significantly increasing their risk of these serious health conditions.
'The newly released data provides compelling evidence that despite progress, Scotland's relationship with alcohol remains deeply problematic and requires immediate attention.
'This isn't inevitable," Dr Shivaji added, "With urgent, collective and evidence-based action to tackle harmful alcohol use, we can change Scotland's path. We need to take steps to implement the preventative measures outlined in the Population Health Framework. This means addressing the availability, affordability, and attractiveness of alcohol, as well as providing early intervention and support for people experiencing problems. But that work must start now.'
Since Scotland introduced Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in 2018, alcohol deaths have dropped by 13.4%, and overall drinking fell by 3%.
However, the number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol remains high, with the figures for 2023 showing the largest number of deaths in 15 years.
Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: 'The Scottish Government is working to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths. Our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy and the decision to uprate the unit price to 65 pence per unit is a key part of our approach to tackling alcohol harm.
'We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol use to be able access the support they need. That is why we have allocated £112 million to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for treatment and support services.
'The forthcoming UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment are anticipated to further support the improvement of alcohol treatment in Scotland. In addition, the recently published Population Health Framework sets out a 10-year plan for population health, including addressing the harms caused by alcohol.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Urgent warning after synthetic opioids linked to 38 deaths in Scotland over just three months
Public Health Scotland has issued a warning over nitazenes, a synthetic opioid, after the drug was linked to 38 deaths in Scotland in just three months. These laboratory-made substances are most commonly found as contaminants in drugs sold as heroin, benzodiazepines, and oxycodone. They have been increasingly identified in post-mortem examinations. An alert, issued through the Rapid Actions Drug Alerts and Response (Radar) led by PHS, highlights the "substantial risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death." PHS stated the alert was issued "to respond to increasing harms and availability in the drugs supply," citing recent Radar data indicating increased detection of nitazene-type opioids in hospital and post-mortem toxicology. Between January and March 2025, nitazenes were detected in 38 deaths. Drugs minister Maree Todd said the synthetic drugs could be 'hundreds' of times stronger than typical drugs. Ms Todd said: 'Every drug death is a tragedy, and my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one. 'We are working hard to respond to the growing threat from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes. 'These synthetic drugs can be hundreds of times more potent than heroin and can increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death. 'Because of their strength, I would urge anyone who carries naloxone to have extra life-saving kits with them and follow guidance on the Public Health Scotland and Scottish Drugs Forum websites. 'I am determined to do more to tackle the harm caused by drugs and that is why we are providing record levels of funding for drugs and alcohol programmes, including widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone. 'We have also opened the UK's first safer drug consumption facility, which is saving lives, and are working at pace to deliver drug-checking facilities.'
STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
The Scottish Government has 'failed' stroke survivors, says charity
The Scottish Government has failed stroke survivors for the seventh straight year in a row, a charity has said. Figures released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday show that the country is falling 'unacceptably short' of its own targets for stroke patients. Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland said just over half of the 11,341 Scots (53%) who had a stroke last year got access to a care bundle, which includes aspirin, access to a specialised unit, brain imaging, and a swallow screening. That's short of the Government's own target of 80%. Even fewer stroke patients (2.2%) received a thrombectomy, which is a procedure to remove a blood clot from a blood vessel. It's a potentially life-changing operation, according to the charity, and the Scottish figures are 'well below' other comparable nations. 'This government has failed stroke survivors and is failing our NHS colleagues who are doing the absolute best they can with the inadequate resources they're currently being given,' Allan Cowie, chief operating officer at the charity, said. 'Scotland is also falling further behind similar-sized nations, such as the Republic of Ireland, in the delivery of potentially life-changing thrombectomy procedures.' He said 10.8% of stroke patients in the Republic of Ireland received a thrombectomy in 2024, compared to NHS Scotland figures, and the Scottish Government's own target of 10%. 'While Scotland's rate has improved marginally, the disparity remains stark. This is unacceptable,' Mr Cowie said. It's a procedure that two-time stroke survivor Michael Macdonald called a 'game-changer'. Mr Macdonald received a thrombectomy after his first stroke at 33-years-old in 2023. He said he feels 'lucky'. 'I didn't realise this procedure is only available 9-5, Monday to Friday,' he said. 'I got to hospital at 4.30 in the afternoon, and I was lucky that the stroke team decided I needed to be treated right away, and they all stayed to do that. 'Now, knowing the difference thrombectomy can make in recovery, I think it's essential that this procedure is available to everyone, no matter where you live or what time you are admitted to hospital. It's a gamechanger where stroke recovery is concerned.' Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland said stroke is one of the biggest causes of long-term adult disability in Scotland, and it said the quality of care is crucial for recovery. The charity is urging the Scottish Government to make stroke care an urgent priority, and it is demanding widespread improvements for the delivery of thrombectomy. Scottish health secretary Neil Gray said: 'I want to do everything we possibly can in government to ensure we're making improvements to stroke care. 'That's why I'm pleased to see we have made improvements in the number of people getting access to thrombectomy services, but we know there is more to do.' In the vast majority of stroke cases, Gray said thrombectomy procedures are 'absolutely critical'. That's why he said the Scottish Government has invested £50m into NHS services. 'We need to do more so we can continue to save lives and give people the best opportunity of being able to live well after having a stroke,' Gray said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish housing study exposes 'unequal' adaptations scheme
As Scotland's population continues to age, it is expected that the number of homes containing adaptations will rise from 342,448 in 2022 to 396,267 by 2040. The total cost of these adaptations could reach £76m in the same time frame. The report states: 'Insights from key stakeholders across Scotland show an adaptations system that is often slow, inconsistent, and hard to navigate. There is a great deal of positive and impactful delivery happening across Scotland, often in extremely challenging environments. 'However, stakeholders consistently highlight systemic barriers, ranging from funding pressures to fragmented governance, that are making the delivery of adaptations increasingly difficult to sustain.' The report calls on the Scottish Government to increase funding for local authorities carrying out the adaptations. According to the report, delayed adaptations contribute directly to 'increased falls, avoidable hospital admissions, and delayed discharge from acute care.' These incidents exert further pressure on an already stretched health service. Reflecting on the report, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) Chief Executive Sally Thomas said: 'The current adaptations system is unfit for our ageing population and places too much emphasis on whether someone rents or owns their home, where they live, and what funding they can access instead of people's needs. 'Housing associations are at the forefront of helping people live well and for longer in their homes and already support tenants by installing everything from grabrails and stairlifts, to larger-scale adaptations such as wet rooms. 'However, the system not only needs more funding, but also to be simplified so everyone can access the adaptations they need irrespective of where they live and whether they rent or own their home.' Read more: Scottish Government fails to meet stroke care benchmark - for 7th year in a row Why the UK government must scrap harmful NDAs in sexual harassment cases 'We want to be the solution': charity to build three social housing villages Ashley Campbell, policy and practice manager at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CHI) Scotland, added: 'The message is clear – we know that investing in adaptations saves money for health and social care partners and improves people's lives. But this isn't just about the funding, the system can be complex, time consuming and inconsistent. 'We need the Scottish Government to fulfil its commitment to review the adaptations system and remove barriers to accessing support.'
