New research with people who are repeatedly hospitalised due to alcohol (Alcohol Frequent Attenders – AFAs) highlights the need for improved services. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of the West of Scotland alongside medical colleagues at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Renfrewshire and was commissioned by SHAAP.

In 2021/22, there were 35,187 alcohol-related hospital admissions in Scotland, representing a major challenge to the overstretched NHS. The study aimed to ascertain whether an alternative service approach to AFAs may be more effective in relation to both patient care and use of NHS resources. Researchers interviewed 20 frequent attenders at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Renfrewshire to gather information about their alcohol-related problems, their reasons for attending hospital services, and to gain their views on their use of services.

Main findings included:

• Women have very different experiences and needs to those of men
• The link between mental health and trauma and alcohol consumption and problems
• A lack of joined-up approach between mental health and alcohol services, meaning that people seeking help often fall into the cracks between services
• The importance of family support and recovery communities
• A lack of service signposting for patients
• How difficult it can be for people to make changes and/or seek help for their alcohol problems
• Barriers to accessing and maintaining treatment