In response to National Records of Scotland alcohol-specific deaths figures Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group said:
“Today’s figures from National Records of Scotland showing a slight increase in alcohol-specific deaths are a reminder that every death is an absolute tragedy for the people concerned and their family and friends. Concerningly this is the third yearly increase in a row, yet the latest data shows a significant slowing since the post pandemic dramatic increase. We believe this reinforces the pressing need for targeting tailored medical and social support for those drinking at the heaviest and most harmful level as a key step to help reverse this worrying trend.”
| Year | Number of registered deaths – Persons |
| 2002 | 1,334 |
| 2003 | 1,354 |
| 2004 | 1,331 |
| 2005 | 1,354 |
| 2006 | 1,417 |
| 2007 | 1,282 |
| 2008 | 1,316 |
| 2009 | 1,180 |
| 2010 | 1,183 |
| 2011 | 1,135 |
| 2012 | 968 |
| 2013 | 1,002 |
| 2014 | 1,036 |
| 2015 | 1,045 |
| 2016 | 1,139 |
| 2017 | 1,120 |
| 2018 | 1,136 |
| 2019 | 1,020 |
| 2020 | 1,190 |
| 2021 | 1,245 |
| 2022 | 1,276 |