Health / ‘We can all play a part in changing the culture’ – call to tackle stigma around alcohol use
THERE needs to be action on tackling stigma around alcohol use, according to NHS Shetland’s alcohol and drug development officer.
Wendy Henderson said there remains stigma against people who do not drink – as well as those involved in problematic and dependant alcohol use.
It comes as new figures show four people in Shetland died in 2023 as a direct result of alcohol use.
This compares to six the previous year.
Henderson said this is a “tragic loss that will be felt by families, friends and communities”.
“Problematic or dependant alcohol use remains highly stigmatised, so this further impacts the family and friends who are left behind,” she added.
“The deaths that are reported in the publication by National Records of Scotland, are deaths which are wholly attributable to alcohol use, for example alcoholic liver disease.
“If we were to look at the numbers of deaths where alcohol was a contributing factor, for example road traffic collisions, falls, or suicides where a person had been using alcohol, or cancers related to alcohol use, the numbers would be significantly higher across Scotland.”
Henderson described alcohol as an “integral part of the society we live in”.
“It is widely available, accessible and acceptable, yet in terms of harm to individuals and harm to others, it is the most harmful of all drugs,” she added.
The Scottish Government is treating alcohol-related harm as a public health emergency, and the minimum unit price for alcohol is set to rise to 65p per unit.
Minimum unit pricing (MUP) was introduced in 2018 with the aim of mitigating the “significant health harms caused by alcohol consumption in Scotland”, particularly targeting brands that are considered cheap relative to its strength.
Henderson said there is evidence that MUP is an effective public health intervention at a population wide level – “however, as with any policy there can be unintended consequences”.
She said for people who experience alcohol dependency, minimum unit pricing can increase poverty.
Alcohol deaths are also 4.5 times higher in the most deprived areas of Scotland, compared to the least deprived areas, so poverty must be addressed, Henderson added.
The alcohol and drug development officer also said there needs to be action on “marketing, advertising and regulation”, as well as investment in treatment and support services, both for people who are experiencing problems with alcohol and for their families.
“There also needs to be action to tackle stigma,” she added.
“Our relationship with alcohol is complex. There is stigma around not drinking alcohol and people report feeling pressured to drink.
“There is also stigma around problematic or dependant alcohol use.
“As individuals and communities, we can all play a part in changing the culture.
“We can be mindful about including alcohol in occasions or events we are planning.
“We can be respectful of those who choose not to drink alcohol.
“We can be compassionate towards people and families who are experiencing problems with alcohol and we can challenge stigmatising behaviour.”
Henderson added that the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership will be commissioning the Scottish Drugs Forum to deliver training on tackling stigma.
The partnership is also planning to hold conversation cafes at various locations with communities and professionals to talk about stigma.
Scottish public health minister Jenni Minto said in response to the national figures released this week: “My sympathy goes out to all those who have lost a loved one through alcohol.
“The Scottish Government is determined to do all it can to reduce alcohol-related harm and we continue to treat it as an equal priority with drugs as a public health emergency.”
People can visit the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership website for advice and links to support services.
Support for people experiencing problems with alcohol and for their families is available at the Recovery Hub and Community Network, Pitt Lane, Lerwick (01595 744402) and the NHS Substance Use Service, Lerwick Health Centre (01595 743006).
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