Number of alcohol-specific deaths rises
NHS Shetland’s alcohol and drug development officer says ‘each death is one too many’
THE NUMBER of people in Shetland who died of an alcohol specific cause increased to five last year.
NHS Shetland’s alcohol and drug development officer Wendy Henderson said these people leave behind “grieving families and friends and our thoughts are very much with everyone who is missing someone”.
The figure for 2024 was three, and while the numbers for Shetland in terms of data are small, Henderson said “each death is one too many”.
The figures were included in an annual release from the National Records of Scotland, which said the number of deaths in the country wholly attributed to alcohol fell by three per cent in 2025 to 1,152.
Henderson explained that the numbers relate to deaths which are wholly attributable to alcohol use, and do not include people who have died in circumstances where alcohol could be a contributing factor.
She gave the example of the many cancers that are linked to alcohol use.
“If we were to look at those figures, the numbers would be significantly higher,” Henderson continued.
“Across Scotland, numbers have decreased, however they have increased in Shetland.
“In terms of data, we are talking about relatively small numbers, so it’s difficult to map trends, but each death is one too many.”
According to national data, alcohol specific deaths can be higher in deprived, urban areas and in remote and rural areas.
Henderson said alcohol culture can be “quite different in remote areas and Shetland is no exception”.
“Alcohol is deeply ingrained in island life and its use tends to be widely accepted,” she said.
“There are very limited alcohol-free spaces or events and alcohol use is very normalised.
“Add to that the increased social isolation that can come with island life, barriers to seeking support, both in terms of stigma and lack of anonymity as well as geographically, it can be a challenging environment.
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“People experience pressure to drink and it is said that alcohol is the only drug that we have to explain why we don’t use.”
Henderson gave the example of how it is not unusual in Shetland to use alcohol related events to raise money for charity, or for alcohol to be given away as raffle prizes, sometimes to children.
“We forget that alcohol is an extremely harmful, highly available drug, which has become totally normalised,” she said.
“We hope that these latest figures will help highlight the level of alcohol related harm that Scotland and Shetland is experiencing.
“We need to address the drivers of substance use, ensure that there is adequate investment in alcohol services, ensure that alcohol legislation is fit for purpose and collectively take steps within our communities, to tackle stigma, but also the availability and normalisation of alcohol.”
Anyone worried about their own or someone else’s alcohol use should visit the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership website for information and details on how to access support.
Alternatively people can contact the Substance Support and Recovery Service based in the Lerwick Health Centre on 01595 743006 or the Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network in Pitt Lane on 01595 744402.
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