The Salvation Army is urging for more targeted support for alcohol addiction in Scotland as recent data shows 1,277 alcohol-related deaths in 2023.
Released by the National Records of Scotland, this report reflects a slight increase in fatalities, with two-thirds of the deceased being men.
Dr Hannah Carver from the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research stressed the urgent need for accessible services for vulnerable individuals struggling with alcohol dependency, noting the serious health risks associated with heavy drinking.
However, the Salvation Army highlighted that many critical support services face limitations, often being inaccessible during weekends and evenings.
In its Breaking the cycle report, the charity found that 80 per cent of Scottish drug and alcohol support services close on weekends.
This creates a gap in care, particularly for those with mental health needs that may prevent them from accessing treatment due to alcohol or substance use.
Lee Ball, the Salvation Army’s director of addiction services, noted that the latest figures echo recent data on drug-related deaths in Scotland, underscoring the need for collaboration among the Scottish Government, local authorities, and health providers to create a comprehensive support network.
“Specialist services available outside regular hours could be lifesaving,” Ball emphasised, adding that no one should be denied help due to mental health conditions often aggravated by prolonged alcohol use.
Alcohol-related deaths are disproportionately higher in Scotland’s most deprived areas, with places like Inverclyde, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, and Dundee recording death rates 4.5 times higher than elsewhere.
Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics, noted that mortality rates have steadily risen since 2012, especially among those aged 45-74, while deaths among younger people have remained more stable.
Data for other parts of the U.K. are pending, but as of 2022, Scotland maintained the highest alcohol-specific death rate among the U.K. countries.