Alcohol problems do not just affect the individual drinker; they always impact on other people and wider society.
The burden of social harm from drinking alcohol is substantial. Alcohol is recognised as a contributory factor in a wide range of social problems including anti-social behaviour, crime, violence, domestic violence, strained relationships, family breakdown, child abuse and child neglect. Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost Scotland £97 million per year in social work services and £277 million per year in criminal justice services, including policing. In addition, alcohol is estimated to cost Scotland £418 million per year in reduced output and productivity, including work days lost due to alcohol-related absenteeism.
Just as passive smoking damages others, passive drinking is inflicting untold damage on children whose mothers drink while pregnant, or whose parents drink too much, as well as the 7,000 victims of drink drivers and 39,000 alcohol-related sexual assaults per year.
This section will look at
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reducing harm caused by alcohol
Rory
Rory - A learning resource aimed at children affected by parental alcohol misuse
When problem drinking affects your family
Looks at some of the difficulties faced by families of problem drinkers and how they can help
Alcohol resources & training for children and young people
Alcohol resources & training for children and young people