Context

Alcohol abuse is undoubtedly a huge social problem in the UK. It is responsible for many unnecessary attendances to the emergency department (ED) and is an enormous burden on the NHS which must treat the complications of alcohol abuse. The Royal College of Physicians advises a weekly alcohol limit of 21 units for men and 14 units for women [1].

The Scottish Health Survey 2017 found 16% of adults were drinking to hazardous proportions using the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) published by the World Health Organisation [2].

Since 2012 the number of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland has been rising. In 2018, 1,136 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in Scotland [2].

Learning Bite

Alcohol related deaths are increasing in Scotland.