Alcohol abuse in Scotland soars
Figures have revealed that alcohol was a factor in more than 5,500 GP consultations in Scotland in just one single day last month.
A study from the British Medical Association has revealed that alcohol accounts for approximately one in 20 GP consultations across Scotland and take up more than 640 hours of a doctors time per year.
The study, which was based on a survey of 31 practices throughout Scotland on April 21st has prompted the the BMA to question political candidates about how they would tackle alcohol abuse if elected to the next Scottish Parliament.
Chairman of the BMA’s Scottish General Practitioners Committee, Dr Alan McDevitt, said: “By regularly drinking over and above recommended limits, a significant proportion of the adult population is at risk of experiencing health problems that are linked to the alcohol they consume, whether it is high blood pressure, breast cancer or even domestic abuse.”
Ailments in which alcohol was a factor included certain skin conditions, bruising, liver problems, cirrhosis, diarrhoea, low work performance and accidents, depressive illness, anxiety and gout.
Chairman of the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, Dr Bruce Ritson, said: “We are drinking at levels that compromise our health and well-being and, as a society, we need to drink less.”
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View the original Scotsman article.