Alcohol problem levels revealed

A health programme has found 20% of patients screened in southern Scotland had a potential problem with alcohol.

A total of 800 people were checked by the Dumfries and Galloway scheme - with one in five assessed as needing further help or support.

The project offers screening to anyone whose medical condition might be linked to their alcohol consumption.

The GP-run monitoring programme is now set to be extended to cover the whole of Scotland.

Patients must volunteer for the checks carried out under the scheme.

Anyone found to be drinking to excess can be offered advice or referred for counselling or detoxification.

After the initial screening, a follow-up session is carried out three months later to monitor progress.

Results have shown that about 33% of people taking part have reduced their alcohol consumption after participating in the project.

Project officer for the Alcohol and Drug Support Agency in Dumfries and Galloway, Lorraine Hyland, said it aims to highlight issues before problems develop.

"I think there is a lot of uncertainty around the levels we are drinking," she said.

"With some people it is just highlighting what the recommended limits are and what changes they can make to their drinking."

'Changing attitude'

She said it might be a case of avoiding binge drinking or making sure people had a number of days which were alcohol-free.

"It makes you sit up and think - this is something I need to address," she said.

"It is very much similar to how we looked at smoking, it's about changing attitude and culture and giving people some information so they can make some healthy choices themselves.

"Every time they do have a drink, it's about weighing up the risk".

BBC News