Scotland's culture of heavy and binge drinking is having an increasing impact on the health of younger people, according to statistics published today.
And the nation is also bucking the international trend for chronic liver disease. While most European countries have seen levels fall, rates in Scotland have almost trebled over the last 15 years.
The Alcohol Hospital Statistics and Liver Disease Statistics, which are published today by ISD Scotland, show:
- Scotland sees, on average, 115 hospital discharges per day due to alcohol misuse
- Alcohol-related discharges have increased by nine per cent over the past five years
- Alcohol-related discharges have increased by 22 per cent for 30-34 year olds and by 19 per cent for 35-39 year olds
- Scotland's rate of chronic liver disease almost trebled over the last 15 years - and continues to rise
- While death rates have been falling across most of Europe, they remain high in Scotland
- Chronic liver disease death rates amongst 30-39 year olds have risen almost five-fold since the mid 1980s
- Rates of hospital discharge for chronic liver disease among young Scottish women (25-29) has increased seven fold over the last 20 years.
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