Alcohol-related deaths in Renfrewshire increased by more than 20 per cent, new official figures show.
According to National Records of Scotland (NRS) stats, 44 people died of drink-related illnesses in 2020, up from 36 in 2019.
The national picture is similarly bleak, with a 17 per cent rise in deaths recorded.
Experts now say alcohol deaths in the country are at the highest they have been for more than a decade, with 1,190 people losing their lives to booze.
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This marks the highest total since 2008.
In Renfrewshire, the rolling five-year average remains at 43, meaning the latest is in line with the previous year's total.
This NRS report presents mortality rates for deaths from causes known to be exclusively caused by alcohol consumption.
Most alcohol-specific deaths were of people in their 50s and 60s.
Deaths in the most deprived areas were four times more than those in the least deprived areas.
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, which runs a drug and alcohol helpline for people impacted by substance abuse has warned more people will lose their lives as the country recovers from the pandemic if more is not done to help.
Justina Murray, CEO of Scottish Families, said: “While Scotland continues its covid recovery journey, it is clear that life will not get back to normal any time soon for thousands of families affected by alcohol harm. A heart-breaking total of 1,190 families lost a loved one to alcohol last year – every one of those a preventable death. Thousands more are struggling to recover from the impact of months of lockdown.
“Since March 2020 our Helpline has been inundated with calls from individuals concerned about their own drinking during lockdown, and from those concerned about a loved one’s alcohol use.
"A common theme has been how impossible it is to reach alcohol treatment and support when you need it, with phones ringing out, messages not returned, and few options offered when you do actually reach help. Individuals and families need immediate access to high-quality alcohol treatment and support when they need it and where they need it. Then we might just start saving lives rather than counting deaths.”
Scottish Families helpline: 08080 10 10 11
Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership has been contacted for comment.
