Majority of Scots concerned about their drinking or that of someone else

Six in 10 people in Scotland (60%) have either worried about their own drinking or that of someone else, a poll has found.

Alcohol Focus Scotland also found a third of people (33%) said they would not feel confident they or their loved ones could access the right support to cut down or stop drinking.

The findings come as the alcohol charity has called for better support to mark Scotland’s first Alcohol Action Day on Thursday.

The charity said more than a million people in Scotland drink at levels that harm their health, and recent statistics showed that deaths from alcohol are almost double what they were in the 90s.

According to Alcohol Focus Scotland, the figures highlight the need for action.

Speaking ahead of Alcohol Action Day, Ann Gardner, from Kinross, told the charity she knew her drinking was a problem, but did not believe services were available to her.

The 61-year-old said she used alcohol to cope with stress and anxiety.

“Alcohol became another way of managing life’s pressures,” she said. “Although I functioned well professionally, I found it increasingly difficult not to drink every day.

“A turning point came when a close family member was admitted to hospital because of their drinking and required detox treatment.

“It forced me to reflect on my own alcohol use and where it might eventually lead. I tried repeatedly to moderate my drinking, but it was a constant battle.”

One of the biggest barriers she faced was believing that support services were for people whose drinking habits were much worse than her own.

“Because I was functioning, employed and managing daily life, I did not see myself as someone who needed help,” she said.

Alcohol Focus Scotland is launching a petition to urge the Scottish Government to make sure everyone affected by alcohol can get the support they need, when they need it.

Carolyn Lochhead, the charity’s chief executive, said: “These new figures show most of us are worried about our own or someone else’s drinking.

“That’s no surprise, since 50 people die from alcohol in Scotland every week.

“But asking for help can be tough, and support isn’t always easily available. That’s why we’re marking the first Alcohol Action Day in Scotland by launching a petition urging the Scottish Government to make alcohol support services fit for purpose, properly resourced and accessible to everyone.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.