Alcohol-related harm remains one of Scotland’s most pressing public health challenges. With almost 1,200 alcohol-specific deaths and nearly 30,000 hospital admissions annually, the burden on individuals, families, and communities is profound. These harms disproportionately affect those in our most deprived areas, deepening health inequalities and straining frontline services. As trusted first points of contact, GPs […]
Alcohol and Health Guidance
Alcohol Care Team (ACT) Consensus Statement
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol problems (SHAAP), the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland and Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Scotland are calling for better support and treatment for people with alcohol problems in hospitals across Scotland.
FOI specialist services
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by SHAAP has revealed an inconsistent patchwork approach to provision of alcohol care team services, despite the high number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in Scotland.
Alcohol & Cancer Risks: A guide for health professionals (2025)
Updated version of SHAAP brochure ‘Alcohol and Cancer Risks: A Guide for Health Professionals. Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for several cancers. This guide updates previousguidance from SHAAP to summarise for health professionals the links betweenalcohol consumption and cancers using the latest data* so that healthprofessionals can use opportunities in their work to intervene […]
Guidance for players: Adverse effects of alcohol for sport
This guide was prepared for Scottish Women’s Football players to offer them additional guidance on the adverse effects of alcohol for sports.
Culturally appropriate alcohol services guide
This guide was prepared by members of a working group, which began in the Midlands and was then expanded to include representation from organisations in other parts of the country, including from Scotland and Wales. This short document was developed as a starting point to further the discussion around how to improve access to and […]
Alcohol & Cancer Risks: A guide for health professionals (2022)
Updated version of SHAAP brochure ‘Alcohol and Cancer Risks: A Guide for Health Professionals. Please note this guidance has since been updated: – view the latest updates guidance (2025).
Advice for heavy drinkers who are thinking about cutting back or stopping drinking alcohol
Is this advice for me? This advice is intended to help you understand your drinking levels and avoid any serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms should you plan to reduce or stop your drinking. We want to help you cut back in a planned way in order to improve your health in the short and long term. […]
Updated Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and People with Alcohol-related Problems: Recommendations for Services
This guidance has been drawn up by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), at the request of the Scottish Government. It provides recommendations for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), Commissioners, Alcohol Service Managers, Community Services and Mutual Aid and Support Groups, to enable them to reduce risks and ensure continued support for people with […]
SHAAP’s report of 2019 Health Board survey re ALD Guidance dissemination
The SHAAP report, ‘Alcohol-related Liver Disease: Guidance for Good Practice’ was published in 2017 and launched at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh at a public meeting in October attended by the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Catherine Calderwood. In spring 2018, a copy of the Guidance was sent to every GP surgery in […]
Alcohol-related Liver Disease: Guidance for Good Practice
The aim of this Guidance is to optimise the multi-disciplinary care provided nationally to facilitate improved survival and optimum health in those affected by alcohol-related liver disease. We present high-level actions for implementation across Scotland, prioritising alcohol-related liver disease for intervention by alcohol services and ensuring high-quality acute medical care for patients with alcohol-related liver disease. To […]
Alcohol and Cancer Risks: A Guide for Health Professionals (2013)
This guide has been produced to summarise for health professionals the links between alcohol consumption and cancers, so that they can use opportunities in their work to intervene to reduce the risks. It was produced following an expert workshop which was convened by SHAAP. Please note this guidance has since been updated twice: – view […]