Early interventions to tackle alcohol harm planned

According to the Scottish Government, tens of thousands more people will receive alcohol brief interventions this year, helping them address their drinking before it causes lasting health damage.

At least 60,000 brief interventions are planned to be carried out over the coming year as the health service redoubles its efforts to tackle harmful drinking.

Brief interventions are used when someone visits their GP or hospital and it is clear to the professionals that alcohol may be a factor in their ill-health. They typically take the form of short motivational interviews, in which the costs and benefits of drinking are discussed, along with information about health risks.