The number of alcohol-related deaths in the region has fallen in 2021 - but still remained at its second-highest point since 2009.
New figures from the National Records of Scotland have revealed a total of 57 deaths linked to alcohol in the Forth Valley health board area, down from the record high of 70 reported for 2020.
The latest toll matches the same number of alcohol deaths reported in Forth Valley in 2011, 2013 and 2018.
However, the picture is different across Scotland as a whole, with the NRS data recording 1,245 alcohol-related deaths in 2021 on a national level, compared to 1,190 in 2020.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Each of these 1,245 deaths is a life cut tragically short, and leaves behind family members and friends suffering their loss. These impacts are experienced unequally with many more people dying in our poorest communities.
“We seem to almost accept this toll as inevitable, but we should not; each death can be prevented. The Scottish Government has recognised alcohol harm as a public health emergency alongside drugs, but we have not yet seen an emergency response on the same scale; they must act now.
“Action must include investment in support for those who already have alcohol problems. Services were inadequate before Covid, but problems have deepened as many people turned to alcohol to cope with anxiety and stress.
“They need easy access to support to help aid their recovery.
“But we must also redouble our efforts to prevent the next generation of drinkers developing patterns of drinking that damage their health. Increasing the price of alcohol remains a key means of reducing consumption, and of saving and improving lives.”
Christina Feaks from Forth Valley Recovery Community said: "Although there has been a decrease in the figures from last year we need to remember that these figures are individual people, with families, friends, colleagues, neighbours and communities who had been impacted by their deaths."
"FVRC are working tirelessly to reach people who maybe don’t realise that they have an alcohol problem.
"With drugs it is different as drugs are illegal. It is legal to drink alcohol and particularly is Scotland it is a social norm to do so to excess, but many don’t realise the dangers and harms they are putting themselves in. We are working to make people aware of this in partnership with other organisations.
"As part of our Assertive Recovery Outreach we are going into school to educate them on the harm of drinking and giving them the knowledge to make informed choices about their alcohol consumption early on in their lives.
"We work hard to make recovery visible within Forth Valley with our cafes, drop ins, peer support, walks and other activities.
"There is a huge amount of stigma and stereotyping that surrounds addiction and we feel that by making recovery visible and sharing the success stories we have within our community we are able to reduce that stigma and encourage those who might be too scared or ashamed to admit they have an issue with alcohol to come forward and seek help and support before it really starts to have an effect on their health and lives.
"Alcohol addiction can affect anyone. Through the lockdown it was increasingly difficult for us to try and engage with people as all of our activities had to be cancelled. We were able to move to online groups which were well attended initially but the numbers began to fall away as the lock down progressed.
"It was really difficult to motivate and encourage people to reach out for support and many people had been extremely isolated which in turn affected their mental health.
We need communities and organisations to come together. We need people to be made aware of the harms of alcohol consumption and realise that just because it is legal to consume alcohol it can still be harmful to your health."
