Expert interviews were broadly supportive. Adapted standards could enable earlier intervention, improve consistency of care across NHS Boards and third sector services, and help identify gaps in current provision. Some areas in Scotland are already applying MAT to alcohol locally...
Key barriers identified include funding pressures, staff shortages and capacity - alcohol affects far more people than drugs, with an estimated 5,000 - 10,000 additional service contacts per year.
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... The patterns described in Ireland are familiar in Scotland. Early alcohol use carries serious, long term consequences for mental and physical health. What's needed? Decisive action on availability, advertising and early intervention.
With the World Cup kicking off, Sam O'Brien West shares his experience of alcohol and football. Drinking from age 14, often the drunkest in the room. Now 3 years sober, he reflects on what changed.
"I still feel the same euphoria when somebody scores."
Dr Suzanne Crowe, a consultant in paediatric intensive care, writes compellingly about the serious risks of teenage binge drinking in Ireland, where 64% of teenage drinkers report binge drinking regularly and one in three meets the criteria for alcohol use disorder...
