Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have risen by 17%, new figures have revealed.
The number of deaths linked to alcohol rose to 1,190 in 2020 – from 1,020 in 2019, according to the National Records of Scotland.
Between 2012 and 2018, the number of alcohol-specific deaths increased
before falling by 10% in 2019.
The NRS said the increase in male deaths from alcohol was behind the spike, with very little change in the number of deaths among women from alcohol.
‘Every alcohol death is preventable’
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) said the figures were of little surprise to the charity.
Justina Murray, CEO of Scottish Families, said: “While Scotland continues its Covid recovery journey, it is clear that life will not get back to normal any time soon for thousands of families affected by alcohol harm.
“A heartbreaking total of 1,190 families lost a loved one to alcohol last year – every one of those a preventable death.
“Thousands more are struggling to recover from the impact of months of lockdown.”
Inundated with calls during lockdown
She added: “Since March 2020 our Helpline has been inundated with calls from individuals concerned about their own drinking during lockdown, and from those concerned about a loved one’s alcohol use.
“A common theme has been how impossible it is to reach alcohol treatment and support when you need it, with phones ringing out, messages not returned, and few options offered when you do actually reach help.
“Individuals and families need immediate access to high quality alcohol treatment and support when they need it and where they need it.
“Then we might just start saving lives rather than counting deaths.”
Alzheimer’s and accidental deaths
Meanwhile, there was a decrease of 1.1% in the number of deaths where Alzheimer’s and other dementias were the underlying cause, according to the NRS data on the causes of death.
There were 2,759 accidental deaths in Scotland, a 1.2% increase compared with 2019.
The majority of these accidental deaths were said to be the result of accidental poisonings or falls.
The figures come after it was confirmed that suicide-related deaths have risen across Tayside and Fife – but across Scotland the numbers have dropped.