A charity has warned of the danger of “sleepwalking towards a public health crisis” with a huge increase in calls to its drug and alcohol helpline during lockdown.

A survey carried out by We Are With You, formerly known as Addaction, has found nearly two-thirds of people in Scotland are more reluctant to use routine health services during lockdown.

At the same time, calls to its helpline in Scotland have risen by 200% since lockdown, with concerns about alcohol now accounting for 50% of all calls, up from 32%.

Boredom, loneliness and anxiety are thought to be the most common reasons for increased drinking during this time.

Recent reports have found one million Scots are drinking more since lockdown began – a trend that has raised concern among public health experts.

Andrew Horne, executive director of We Are With You in Scotland, said it was understandable that people were not keen to use health services at the moment.

But he said: “The necessary coronavirus restrictions have led to an increase in drinking at home.

“At the best of times we know four out of five people with an alcohol issue aren’t accessing support, with less people wanting to access health services right now, there’s a danger we could be sleepwalking towards a public health crisis when this is all over. 

“If you are concerned about your own drinking, or are one the millions of people concerned about the drinking of someone you know, drug and alcohol services remain open and are here to work alongside people during this difficult time.”

A YouGov Direct survey, commissioned by We Are With You, found 64% of people in Scotland are less likely to access non-emergency health services amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Just over half – 55% – said they were concerned about was placing extra strain on the NHS. This was followed by fear of catching covid-19 at 18%, while 6% said they needed to remain in self isolation.

The charity’s own UK-wide data shows referrals into treatment across its drug alcohol and mental health services have dropped by 52% since January.

In particular, alcohol referrals have fallen by 72% during the lockdown period when compared to January 2020.

Sammie, who volunteers with We Are With You and is in recovery from alcohol, said: “I told myself that because I used to drink in fits and spurts rather than every day I didn’t have an issue.

“Alcohol made me feel confident and dulled my anxiety but once I started, I struggled to stop - with serious consequences for myself and my family.”

She added: “The current restrictions are tough for people like me who are in recovery. Isolation, boredom and anxiety are big factors which lead to people drinking more.

“And without work or other obligations to keep people in check, some people may go into spirals of drinking like I used to.

“But the support is still out there; online support groups are helping me cope.

“You don’t need to go through your GP or worry about putting extra strain on the NHS.”

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