Alcohol consumption remains to be a growing concern in Scotland and the Scottish Government and other agencies are working hard to tackle the many health and social problems that are associated with alcohol. A study ‘Drinking in Scotland: Qualitative Insights into Influences, Attitudes and Behaviours’ commissioned by NHS Health Scotland recognises that drinking plays an important role in Scotland’s culture and the need to develop a better understanding of the different drinking behaviours and attitudes in Scotland when tackling alcohol-related problems.
Alcohol misuse not only affects the health and wellbeing of the individual drinker, but also has a major impact on family relationships, communities and society as a whole. There is a growing concern amongst young men, particularly in relation to binge drinking and violence.
Consumption
- Scotland is 8th in the world for alcohol consumption per head of population
- Men and women in England drink more frequently than those in Scotland, but Scots are more likely to exceed daily limits
- 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women in Scotland exceed recommended daily limits
- Men’s average weekly consumption is more than double that of women
Alcohol related deaths
In 2005 there were a total of 55,747 deaths registered in Scotland. Of these 2,372 involved alcohol, either as an ‘underlying’ or ‘contributory’ factor. This is a slight rise from 2004.
More men than women died of alcohol related conditions in 2005 (males 1,663, females 709).
Useful reports
Young Men, Masculinity and Alcohol, 27th September 2004 (Glasgow based research)
Greater Glasgow NHS Board (doc)
Alcohol Statistics Scotland 2007: ISD Scotland (pdf)
How much are people really drinking in Scotland – Public Health Observatory Division Health Scotland (pdf)
Changing Scotland’s relationship with Alcohol: a discussion paper on our strategic approach – Scottish Government (pdf)
Drinking in Scotland: Qualitative Insights into Influences, Attitudes and Behaviours – NHS Health Scotland (pdf)
Understanding Alcohol Misuse in Scotland, Harmful Drinking, One: the size of the problem – NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (pdf)
Useful websites
Infoscotland.com
Information on Scotland’s campaigns from the Scottish Government
NHS Health Scotland
Gives details of the alcohol-related programme of work being taken forward by Health Scotland and their partners. You'll also find links to alcohol learning opportunities, research, publications and related websites.
Alcohol Focus Scotland
Scottish charity dedicated to raising awareness of, and reducing the significant health and social harm caused by, alcohol. Their long term aim is to achieve a culture change in Scotland where far fewer lives are affected by alcohol misuse, and moderate, responsible drinking is the norm.
Alcohol Concern
Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. They work to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems.
Alcohol Information Scotland
The Alcohol Information Scotland website provides a wide range of information on alcohol for Scotland. This includes statistics, research, publications, key policy documents and practice guidelines as well as links to useful websites. Up to date news is reported through daily media monitoring.
The site is for anyone with an interest in alcohol issues such as care professionals, researchers, policy makers as well as the wider community. |
