About Alcohol Scotland

If you are worried about your own drinking, living with someone who drinks, trying to understand alcohol dependence or looking for help, it should not take hours of searching to find straightforward information.

Alcohol Scotland is intended to bring that information together in one place: what alcohol does, how problems develop, what families can do, what treatment looks like, where to find help and what the Scottish statistics actually show.

You do not need to identify as an alcoholic or have reached a crisis to use this site. You may simply be wondering whether your drinking is becoming a problem.

You may be worried about a partner, parent, child, friend or colleague. You may be looking for treatment, trying to understand withdrawal, checking a statistic, or trying to work out what help exists in Scotland.

The site is organised around six main areas: Your Drinking, Families & Friends, Understanding Alcohol, Alcohol in Scotland, Help & Recovery, and Facts & Research.

We are also developing practical resources such as directories, reference material and tools that can help people understand their drinking and find the right support.

Alcohol Scotland is an independent information website. It does not represent the NHS, the Scottish Government, an alcohol treatment provider or the alcohol industry.

Where we refer to outside organisations, services, reports or research, the aim is to help people reach the original source or the organisation that can help them.

Alcohol problems are difficult enough without making the information difficult too. We try to explain things plainly, separate fact from opinion and avoid unnecessary jargon.

We do not assume everyone needs the same answer. Some people want to cut down, some want to stop, some need medical help, and some are trying to protect themselves or their children from someone else's drinking.

Information on Alcohol Scotland does not replace individual medical advice. This is particularly important with alcohol withdrawal, which can be dangerous if someone is physically dependent.

If you are seriously unwell, having seizures, hallucinating, confused, collapsing or having difficulty breathing, call 999. For urgent non-life-threatening medical help in Scotland, call NHS 24 on 111.

Statistics, services and guidance change. We date important figures where possible and link to original sources so they can be checked.

If you find an error, a broken link or information that needs updating, please contact us so it can be reviewed.