The latest National Records of Scotland Annual Alcohol Specific Deaths Report was published on Tuesday.
Key points highlighted in this report are as follows:
- There were 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland in 2023, an increase of one death from 2022. This is the highest number of alcohol specific deaths registered in a year since 2008.
- The rate of mortality for alcohol-specific deaths was 22.7 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023. This measure takes into account the size and age-structure of the population.
- Male deaths continue to account for around two thirds of alcohol-specific deaths. Over the last year, male alcohol-specific deaths increased by 25, while female deaths decreased by 24.
- The age profile of alcohol-specific deaths has become older over time, with the average age at death increasing from 56 to 60 in the last decade. In 2023, the alcohol-specific mortality rates for those aged 65 to 74, and 75+ were at their highest since the series began in 1994.
- After adjusting for age, the alcohol-specific mortality rate was higher than the Scottish average in the council areas of Inverclyde, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, and Dundee City.
- Alcohol-specific deaths were 4.5 times as high in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived areas in 2023. This compares to a ratio of 1.8 times for all causes of death. This ratio has decreased over time.
Please see below for a breakdown for Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire and North and South Lanarkshire Council areas:
There are a number supports available across North Lanarkshire to support people in relation to their own alcohol use or someone else’s alcohol use. Services available can be found on this website. Â
Alcohol Focus Scotland added a media statement to their website and a joint emergency response has been developed to go to the Scottish Government calling for action. The response can be found below:
