Alcoholism in North-East Scotland: Its Treatment and Outcome

Evidence is adduced that the size of the problem of alcoholism in Great Britain doubled between 1956 and 1961 and that alcoholism is perhaps four or five times more prevalent in Scotland than in England and Wales.

Abstract

Concern has been expressed in many quarters about the size of the problem of alcoholism in Great Britain, although there are no figures available from a direct count in the general population. Morrison (1964) has adduced evidence that the size of the problem doubled between 1956 and 1961 and that alcoholism is perhaps four or five times more prevalent in Scotland than in England and Wales. Existing treatment facilities have been criticized and the establishment of special units for the treatment of alcoholics has been advocated (Ministry of Health, 1962). One such unit was opened in Edinburgh in 1963 (Walton et al ., 1966), and the opening of further units in Scotland is being considered (Scottish Home and Health Department, 1965).