Drink: Interventions aim to make people address their drinking habits before they damage their health. Pic: © STV
Tens of thousands of Scots are to receive an 'intervention' from their GP in the coming year, in a bid to help them cut down their alcohol intake.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon revealed the number of alcohol brief interventions is to rise to help heavy drinking Scots address their habits before they cause lasting damage to their health.
The process involves a GP giving a patient a short, motivational interview to highlight potentially hazardous drinking.
The Government announced on Monday that at least 60,000 interventions would be carried out in the coming year. It is part of a move to double efforts to tackle the country's binge boozing problems.
Ms Sturgeon said: "Brief interventions are not only clinically effective but also cost effective. By intervening early, we can save money and, more importantly, lives.
"With concerning numbers of hazardous or harmful drinkers in Scotland, there are clearly many people who need help to reduce their drinking. That's why we're committed to carrying out at least 60,000 brief interventions over the coming year.
"Health boards will step up their efforts this year in delivering alcohol brief interventions to help more people address their drinking before they cause lasting health damage."
Brief interventions are used when someone visits their GP or hospital and it is believed alcohol may be a factor in their ill-health.
