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.
Alcohol Services
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 […]
STIGMA SERIES: See The Individual & Give More Acceptance
In our latest blog, Irene McCusker candidly recounts her son Graeme’s experiences of stigma when receiving care as he struggled with alcohol addiction. See The Individual & Give More Acceptance STIGMA… sadly is still experienced by some patients accessing health services. Throughout the years of supporting my son Graeme, we witnessed on many occasions the way that he was sometimes […]
STIGMA SERIES: Intersecting Stigmas: Women, homelessness and problem substance use
In our latest blog, Chloe Farmer talks about her experience as a nurse working with vulnerable women, the importance of inclusion health services and how she hopes her PhD work will help reduce stigma. Stigma is one of many influences contributing to the marginalisation experienced by the individuals I support within my nursing role in […]
Ambulance clinicians’ preparedness for handling alcohol-related call-outs
As this is ongoing academic work, the recording and/ or event report of this seminar is not publicly available. If you would like to enquire about accessing these materials, please contact us at SHAAP@rcpe.ac.uk. Alcohol places a significant burden on UK ambulance services, with at least one-in-six ambulance call-outs in Scotland being alcohol-related. Ambulance staff […]
STIGMA SERIES: Stigma and Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD)
In this blog, Leeanne MacPherson and Dr Ben Chetcuti from the NHS mental health, alcohol and drug liaison team in Ayrshire and Arran, share their experiences of working with alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) patients and the various ways these service users can be stigmatised through their treatment journeys. Leeanne MacPherson’s views Having worked in the […]
Reflections on the Scottish Alcohol Research Network (SARN) Early Career Researcher (ECR) Event: What it meant to me as an ECR
In this blog, Jess writes about her experience attending SARN events as an ECR, and shares a preview of the findings from her research on MAPs, which will feature in this year’s Alcohol Occasionals! Attending the Scottish Alcohol Research Network (SARN) Early Career Researcher (ERC) event was a valuable and energising experience – one that […]
Joint AFS SHAAP letter to Neil Gray
Joint letter with Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) sent to Cabinet Secretary for Health Neil Gray on 30 January 2025.
JUSTICE SERIES: Glasgow’s Alcohol Problem Solving Court
In this blog, Sheriff Iain Fleming gives an overview of the Glasgow Alcohol Problem Solving Court, which aims to assist those who have regularly offended while under the influence of alcohol, to control their alcohol consumption such that they no longer offend. The Glasgow alcohol court began life in February 2018, initially as a pilot court […]
JUSTICE SERIES: The power of community in recovery: Strengthening alcohol support across Scotland’s criminal justice system
In our latest blog, Josh D shares his lived experience of alcoholism and recovery to highlight the importance of recognising Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a means of support for those with alcohol problems within the Justice System. For fourteen years, my life centred on alcoholism, drug addiction, family estrangement, homelessness, repeated prison sentences and multiple […]
Response to consultation on Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill
Submitted on 12 December 2024.