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1. Introduction
1.1 The costs presented here are based on a "Cost of Illness Approach". This is a prevalence based methodology which attempts to quantify the costs associated with a particular illness or health related behaviour including both incident cases in the base year but also costs from individuals who still suffer. In this case it refers to alcohol use/ misuse.
1.2 The costs are presented in 2006/07 values. Where no data has been available for this year, previous years' costs have been uprated by inflation.
1.3 Due to time constraints no primary data collection has been possible: the basis of the calculations are published data sources.
1.4 The basis of the methodological approach is the 2001 study 1 from which uprated estimates were produced by Scottish Government economists in 2004 2. Where no newer research is available and/or time constraints have not permitted further research, similar assumptions have been used.
1.5 These estimates should be treated as indicative only. They give an indication of the size and scope of the effect of alcohol use/misuse within Scotland. They are not exhaustive.
1.6 In common with all "cost of illness" studies it is not possible to directly compare the estimates produced in this paper with those previously produced. Policies, interventions and associated budgets have changed over the years: some of the assumptions have been altered in the light of newer research findings: data categorisation and collection may have improved or altered.
1.7 Due to the lack of data in certain areas, the figures are potentially underestimates of the true costs associated with alcohol use/misuse. Estimates are always open to revisions on the basis of new information and research and a more robust study incorporating primary research findings would undoubtedly produce different estimates from those presented in this paper.
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