There has been a 6% year on year rise in the number of alcohol-specific deaths, figures released by the NHS show.
The number has risen from 5,507 in 2016 to 5,843 in 2017. This is also a staggering 16% over the last 10 years. Additionally, alcohol related hospital admissions rose by 100,000 people in 2017/18 to 1.2million people, representing 7.2% of all hospital admissions for that year.
‘Alcohol in England is without a doubt at crisis point and worse still, we start another year with no dedicated strategy from Government for tackling alcoholism in this country,’ Said Eytan Alexander, CEO of addiction treatment specialists UKAT. ‘Why is it that alcohol misuse is always shoehorned into the overall drugs policy? It needs to be recognised as a standalone problem, because that’s exactly what it is- a problem.’
The data details how 83% of hospital admissions were aged over 45 and that just under two thirds were male. Regionally, Salford once again had the highest rate at 3,430 per 100,000 population, and Wokingham had the lowest rate at just 1,410.
The vast majority (78%) of alcohol related deaths occur between the ages of 40-69 and once again, death rates were highest in the most deprived areas and lowest in the least deprived areas.
‘The numbers speak for themselves, and it’s time to admit that change is needed in order to help the NHS and to help those most vulnerable in society,’ added Mr Alexander.