Alcohol
Action: to screen opportunistically patients attending A&E departments with certain clinical presentations*. For patients identified with harmful or hazardous drinking, to offer and deliver a brief intervention in accordance with SIGN 74.
For patients identified as dependent drinkers, and those with harmful or hazardous drinking patterns who request further help, to direct to an appropriate support service**
Agencies working on developing resources associated with alcohol problems are:
Health Scotland
Research, publications and links can be found by visiting our Alcohol Programme pages.
Scottish Training on Drugs & Alcohol
STRADA (external link) provides a range of training and development opportunities to staff working in the drug and alcohol field. Their training prospectus includes: regional modular programmes, practice based workshops for intermediate and senior practicioners, academic programmes accredited by the University of Glasgow and bespoke programmes that can be tailored to an organisation's requirements inlcuding A&E settings.
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
SHAAP (external link) was established by the Scottish Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties through their Intercollegiate Group on Alcohol. One of the key motivations for itss formation was the evidence on alcohol misuse related admissions to A&E departments.
Scottish Association of Alcohol & Drug Action Teams
SAADAT (external link) is a voluntary national body whose remit includes facilitating the sharing of information and good practice.
Alcohol Focus Scotland
AFS runs regular training workshops (external link) on a number of alcohol, addictions and counselling issues.
*as listed in Annex 2 of the SIGN 74 guidelines
**including health, social services, local authority and voluntary