Around a quarter of people in England are now classed as hazardous drinkers at risk of physical and psychological harm, according to new official figures.
The statistics from the NHS Information Centre show that in 2007, the drinking habits of 33% of men and 16% of women were classed as hazardous (collectively a quarter of all adults) - meaning they regularly drink above 21 and 14 units per week respectively.
However, alcohol consumption above recommended levels seems to have fallen in recent years, but drinking is still having a serious and sometimes deadly impact on people’s health.
The report Statistics on Alcohol: England, 2009, brings different information on alcohol together from a variety of sources.
Its figures on drinking dependence allow a comparison between 2000 and 2007 and show that in 2007, 9% of men and 4% of women showed some sign of alcohol dependence. The figures for men were down on those for 2000 when 11.5% of men showed signs of drinking dependence. The figure for women was not significantly different from 2000.
The impact of drinking is also significant as the report also shows that the annual number of alcohol related admissions to hospital in England rose by 69% in five years to reach just over 863,000 in 2007-08.
The figures, however, use a new methodology reflecting a change in the way the impact of alcohol on hospital admissions is calculated and now includes instances such as accidental injury.
There were also 6,541 deaths related to alcohol in 2007 in England - an increase of 19% since 2001 - and of these deaths, the majority (4,249) died from alcoholic liver disease.
It is estimated that the cost of alcohol related harm to the NHS in England is £2.7billion.
In 2007, there were 134,429 prescription items for drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependency prescribed in primary care settings or NHS hospitals and dispensed in the community. This was an increase of 31% since 2003 when there were 102,741 prescription items.
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “The report shows a significant amount of people are at risk of actual harm to themselves, which in turn results in more work for the NHS.”
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians said: “These new figures on our nation’s drinking give us some signs of encouragement but also show us very clearly that the argument that it is a small minority spoiling it for the vast majority of responsible drinkers just won’t wash. Let’s get some policy levers on price, availability and information in place, and also make sure that treatment facilities can be accessed by those in need.”
Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker said: “The dramatic increase in admissions caused by alcohol consumption is a warning that unless action is taken, we face an escalating public health crisis and increasing pressure on the doctors and nurses working in our hospitals.”
Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “NHS organisations have seen significant increases in alcohol-based admissions in the last 10 years and the direct effects for the NHS range from public health problems to pressure on ambulance service resources and staff safety.”