Alcohol

Alcohol consumption is high in Scotland, with average intake of 18 units per week in adults, but, in practice, higher when the those who are abstinent are accounted for. Alcohol-related morbidity and mortality are correspondingly also high, with over a thousand alcohol-specific deaths each year in Scotland. The rates of death in men are over twice those of women, and deaths overall are strongly associated with socioeconomic deprivation.

The Count 14 website gives straight forward instructions on how to assess units, and advice about alcohol intake. In Lothian there is an enhanced service for Alcohol Brief Interventions which are short evidence-based structured conversations, readily deliverable in primary care settings.

For those drinking more heavily or who are alcohol-dependent, please consider referral (or patients can self-refer) to the locality Hubs – please see the HSCP locality pages for further detail. The Hubs can arrange further support and, if needed, community detoxification or referral to the Ritson Clinic for an inpatient withdrawal programme. SHAAP produces a useful patient guide for heavy drinkers thinking of cutting back or stopping drinking.

SHAAP also produces guidance for health professionals on:

Please see the Resources and Links page for further information on organisations who support those with alcohol problems. ELCA offers help, including counselling, to anyone in Lothian with concerns about their, or someone else’s, drinking, aged 18 or over.

Who to refer:

Those with problematic drinking, who are alcohol-dependent, or wish support to remain abstinent should access locality Hubs.

Who not to refer:

Patients with acute medical needs

For patients with an urgent medical need please refer to the appropriate acute medical service at the RIE, WGH or St John’s Hospitals:
- acute confusional states
- and/or withdrawal seizure(s),
- with or without Wernicke’s encephalopathy,
- acute alcoholic hallucinations
- or delirium tremens.