The UK is failing to make headway against the health problems caused by excessive drinking of alcohol, campaigners said yesterday.
Figures published yesterday showed 8,758 alcohol-related deaths in the UK in 2015 – with 65% of them involving men.
The figures showed that middle-aged people aged between 55 and 64 were most likely to be victims of alcohol.
The highest death rate is in Scotland – but death rates have also fallen fastest there, the Office for National Statistics said.
Dr John Larsen, from the charity Drinkaware, said: “Whilst alcohol-related deaths are still lower than their 2008 peak, it is worrying the rate is higher than it was in 1994 and that we are not seeing a downward trend in recent years.
"Furthermore, it is concerning to see the continuing trend of alcohol-related deaths disproportionally affecting men and those living in the north of England and Scotland."
The British Liver Trust warned of "dangerous levels" of alcohol consumption in the UK.
It reported figures showing that in England alone, an estimated 9.8 million people over the age of 16 are drinking at a potentially harmful rate. This equates to about 18% of the adult population.
Figures are calculated differently in different regions of the UK, but 18% are thought to drink at a potentially harmful rate in Scotland. The rate of drinking at ‘excessive’ levels is about 45% in Wales, and the rate of ‘dangerous’ drinking in Northern Ireland is 22%, the analysis found.
CEO of the British Liver Trust, Andrew Langford, explains that heavy drinking can cause serious health problems and premature mortality, while costing the health service millions.
"We encourage people to think about their liver health over January and hope, that as a result of abstaining from or reducing their drinking, they will develop safer drinking habits that they stick to all year round," said Mr Langford.
"Drinking above the low-risk guidelines puts people at increased risk of illnesses like liver disease, heart disease and cancer. These are diseases that kill. To prevent unnecessary loss of life, we also advise people who do drink to take three days each week off to give their liver chance to recover. Anyone concerned about their own drinking or that of a friend or relative should take our free online screener which can be found at www.loveyourliver.org.uk"
The research shows that alcohol remains by far the most common cause of fatal liver disease in the UK. Mortality rates from alcohol related liver disease have increased 400% since 1970, and in people younger than 65 years have risen by almost five times.
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