SCOTLAND is the worst country in the world for alcohol drinkers who require medical treatment after drinking binges, according to a study.

The Global Drugs Survey issued new data that shows people living north of the Border are most likely to become so intoxicated they need to visit A&E.

About 2.4 per cent of all Scots who took part in the survey have received emergency medical assistance, more than two times the global average rate of 1.1 per cent.

Scotland heads the global table ahead of Ireland and Norway, both on 2.2 per cent, with the rest of the UK on 1.9 per cent.

Health campaigners have warned cheap booze was at the root of a massive drink problem in the country.

The report surveyed 100,000 people from around the world to find out their drink and drug habits, with 647 Scots surveyed.

It also showed that an increasing number of people are buying their drugs from the dark net, with one in 10 of those asked admitting to using the illicit internet system to purchase drugs such as MDMA and LSD.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, was not surprised by the figures and said: “Last year there were over 35,000 alcohol- related hospital stays in Scotland, the vast majority from emergency admission.”

Scottish Drugs Forum chief executive David Liddell said the survey reflected the way Scots treat the health services.