Mental Welfare Commission's New Guidance on Alcohol-related Brain Injury

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of new guidance on alcohol-related brain damage by the Mental Welfare Commission to inform professionals who treat and care for people with alcohol-related brain conditions; notes that alcohol-related brain injury refers to changes to the structure and functions of the brain resulting from long-term heavy alcohol use and can result in problems with memory, judgement and a person's ability to live independently; understands that alcohol-related brain injury is present in 1.5% of the general population and almost 30% of alcohol-dependent individuals; further understands that the average age of people referred to specialist services is 55 and that three quarters are male; notes that the guidance addresses the assessment of a person's capacity to make their own decisions, once they have a diagnosis, as well as reviewing the legal powers available in Scotland and the use of those powers; considers that alcohol-related brain injury is often not recognised, is under-diagnosed and that patients can be stigmatised due to perceptions that they are difficult to help or that their problems are self-inflicted; believes that the term "damage" can add to stigma and notes the preference of many in the recovery community to refer to "injury" when discussing the spectrum of changes to the brain caused by alcohol, and thanks organisations that provide specialist support, including Penumbra, for raising awareness of alcohol-related brain injury through its summer and Christmas open days in Possilpark and challenging everyone to recognise and support the recovery community.