Greater addiction treatment urged for Scottish alcoholics

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by Change | 7 Aug 2009

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Addiction treatment in Scotland needs to be stepped up to help many more people suffering with alcoholism, it has been claimed.

Few people in Scotland who are suffering from alcohol problems are receiving the addiction recovery treatment that they need to help tackle their issues, it has been claimed.

A report commissioned by the Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams has suggested that almost a third of Scottish men and a quarter of women in the country regularly consume potentially harmful levels of alcohol.

However, the survey warned that few go to rehab clinics to get treatment for their problems.

According to the figures, over 1.17 million Scots are currently drinking harmful levels of alcohol, with 206,000 people in the country classed as alcohol-dependent by the researchers.

Despite this, just 17,000 access rehab clinics and other addiction treatment services, meaning many are being left to cope with their alcohol problems without any professional support.

"It is worrying that only one in 12 Scots with alcohol problems currently access specialist treatment services," said Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland.

He continued: "That means thousands of people whose drinking is affecting their lives, and the lives of their families, are not getting the help they need."

The Scottish government has previously mooted plans for a minimum price on the sale of all alcoholic beverages in an effort to curb access to alcohol.

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