Report shows alcohol knock-on effects

One in two people in Scotland have been harmed because of someone else’s drinking, according to a new report.

The Alcohol Focus Scotland study also found that one in three people report having heavy drinkers in their lives.

The charity is calling for more to be done to raise awareness about the negative impact someone’s drinking can have on others and its potential to cause distress and harm.

The types of harm suffered can range from the minor to the severe, and can include injury, assault, traffic and workplace accidents, child neglect, partner abuse, relationship problems, harassment, noise and damage to property.

People aged 16 to 34 and those who have heavy drinkers in their lives were found to be most at risk of suffering harm.

Dr Evelyn Gillan, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Our research shows just how far-reaching alcohol harm is. One in two Scots are affected in some way by other people’s drinking.

“This can range from feeling uneasy at aggressive behaviour on the bus, picking up the slack at work because a colleague has called in sick with a hangover or children living with heavy drinking parents, and the strain this inevitably places on family life.

“Many of these problems are not being reported, either because they are simply tolerated or because they are going on behind closed doors.

“When people began to understand the negative effects of passive smoking, action was taken. It’s time we started to think beyond the individual drinker to consider how we can protect people from the second hand effects of drinking.”

The study found that those who know heavy drinkers are more likely to report harm from others in private settings such as at home, or with neighbours or friends.

Dr Gillan said it is important to ensure tha t individuals, families, workplaces and communities who are being negatively affected by other people’s drinking receive the support they need.

She also called for measures such as minimum pricing to tackle the widespread availability and promotion of cheap alcohol.

The report “Unrecognised and under-reported. The impact of alcohol on people other than the drinker in Scotland” was commissioned by Alcohol Focus Scotland in 2012 and involved 1,007 adults.

The study also used Edinburgh as a case study to explore the impact of how alcohol harms others from the viewpoint of frontline service providers.

It found that alcohol was a factor in half of all murders, 72% of domestic abuse incidents and 76% of assaults.

An estimated 7,000 children in the city live with an adult with “problematic alcohol use”.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said “We are already acutely aware of the damaging effects that excessive alcohol consumption has on individuals, families, friends and communities.

“The relationship between cheap alcohol and harm is clearly recognised by those dealing with the consequences of excessive consumption. Alcohol is now around 60% more affordable than it was in 1980.

“That is why we remain absolutely committed to introducing minimum unit pricing, which will save hundreds of lives, prevent thousands of hospital admissions, reduce crime and save the public purse millions in dealing with the consequences of alcohol misuse.

“We know that alcohol misuse, in particular, impacts on children living with parents with a drink problem, and that heavy drinking is a common factor in family break-up.

“We have placed a whole population approach at the heart of our Alcohol Framework which includes a package of over 40 measures to reduce alcohol-related harm by helping to prevent problems arising in the first place, and includes improving support and treatment for those who are already experiencing problems.

“This report shows us that the effects on others by someone else’s drinking can be just as damaging and we will carefully consider the recommendations included in this report.”