Statistics About Alcohol

Alcohol can have different effects on people. Most of the time, people’s behaviour will change slightly, but for others, alcohol can have serious implications on their behaviour or health. This blog post looks at some recent statistics on how Alcohol can have implications on drinking habits, health, crime and those getting treatment for alcohol dependency.

Alcohol & Drinking Habits

In England in 2018, 82% of adults drank alcohol in the past 12 months and 49% drank at least once a week 1. Furthermore, men were more likely to drink than women and those aged between 45-64 were most likely to drink2. In addition, people from England were the most likely to have drunk within the past week, whilst those in Wales were the least likely 3. Finally, in England, 40% of adults drank more than 14 units a week (about 6 pints of beer) 4 . However, overall, the number of people drinking alcohol has fallen over recent years. This is particularly true for 16-24-year-olds 5. In addition, teetotalism has increased amongst 16-44-year-olds, however, it can be said that when they do drink, they are more likely to drink at higher levels 6 . This shows that younger people are starting to not drink as much as previous generations and are looking for other alternatives to drinking when it comes to socialising.  However, whilst these statistics do show the improved relationship younger people have with alcohol, it should be reminded that still many binge drink on certain days.

Alcohol & Health

It is a fact that when consumption is not under control, it could have a serious effect on a person’s health. For example, alcohol is a factor in more than 60 medical conditions, including a range of cancers, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver and depression 7 . In addition, in 2019/20 there were over 976,000 hospital admissions which were related to alcohol consumption across England alone 8 . Also, the rate of alcoholic liver disease in England increased by 18% from 2016/17 to 2019/20 9 . This shows the detrimental effects alcohol can have on those dependent on it and how it can have serious, long-term health implications. In addition, in 2020, there was an 18.6% increase in alcohol-specific death rate across the UK, with England having a 13 per 100,000 alcohol-specific death rate 10 . Of the alcohol-specific deaths in 2019, 77% were caused by alcoholic liver disease 11. This exemplifies how, sadly, alcohol is a major issue in the UK and how it can, ultimately, cost people their own lives.

Alcohol & Crime

In 2018/19, 39% of people in England and Wales said they witnessed any type of anti-social behaviour in their local area, with 11% of this anti-social behaviour being alcohol-related 12. In addition between 2017/18, in 39% of violent incidents, the victim believed that the offender was under the influence of alcohol 13. Similarly, in the same year, in 24% of incidents, the victim believed the offender was under the influence of alcohol 14 . Finally, across the same year, 12% of theft offences, 21% of criminal damage and 22% of hate crimes were alcohol related 15.  Not only does this have an impact on more minor crimes, but alcohol can have a significant impact on more serious crimes. For example, in 2016/17, in 36% of sexual assaults, the offender was under the influence of alcohol 16 . Also, in 2017/18, 17% of offenders of partner abuse were under the influence of alcohol 17. Finally, in 2018, there were 8,700 drink-drive casualties and 5,900 drink-drive accidents in Great Britain 18.

Alcohol & Those Getting Treatment

In 2019/20, 74,618 people in England were in treatment at a specialist alcohol misuse service centre and there was a total of 104,880 people in treatment for alcohol 19. Out of these people in treatment, 68% of the population were self-referred, 10% were referred by a GP, 3% by hospitals and 1% from social services 20 . This shows the importance of people suffering from alcohol acknowledging that they have an issue and are looking for help themselves. If you have a friend or family member who is struggling with alcohol, then be sure to check our page for friends and family.  Regarding the treatments which are provided to help improves someone’s situation, in 2018, there were 170,000 alcohol-related prescription items dispensed in England 21. Furthermore, not only do people need physical treatment, but 60% of people in alcohol treatment needed mental health support additionally 22. Overall, alcohol treatment can be successful, with 59% of people successfully completing alcohol treatment in 2019/20 23. This shows that, for many alcohol treatment is not a straightforward procedure, with mental & physical support being needed to help someone remove their dependency on alcohol. It also highlights, that with the right support networks and a treatment plan which works for you, alcohol treatment can be successful.

Are You Looking to Improve Your Relationship With Alcohol?

If you are looking to improve your relationship with alcohol, such as undergoing a private detox, then why not consider Alcohol Home Treatment by Paul Turner? Paul Turner has worked with those struggling with alcohol for the past 25 years and is a registered mental nurse and an independent nurse prescriber. If you would like to get in touch, then you can do via our contact us page.

References

1 NHS, (2019) Statistics on Alcohol, England 2019. Part 1: Alcohol-related hospital admissions

2 John, (2018) Adult drinking habits in Great Britain

3 John, (2018) Adult drinking habits in Great Britain

4 NHS, (2019) Statistics on Alcohol, England 2019. Part 1: Alcohol-related hospital admissions

5 John, (2018) Adult drinking habits in Great Britain

6 John, (2018) Adult drinking habits in Great Britain

7 Public Health England, (2016) The public health burden of alcohol: evidence review

8 Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, (2021) Local Alcohol Profiles for England

9 Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, (2021) Local Alcohol Profiles for England

10 Office for National Statistics, (2021) Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2020

11 Office for National Statistics, (2021) Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2020

12 Office for National Statistics, (2023) Crime in England and Wales: Other related tables

13 Office for National Statistics, (2020) Nature of crime: Violence

14 Office for National Statistics, (2020) Nature of Crime Violence

15 Office for National Statistics, (2018) Adult drinking habits in Great Britain: 2017

16 Office for National Statistics, (2018) Adult drinking habits in Great Britain: 2017

17 Office for National Statistics, (2020) Partner abuse in detail, England and Wales: year ending March 2018

18 Department for Transport, (2014) Reported drinking and driving: data tables

19 Public Health England, (2020) Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2019 to 2020: report

20 Public Health England, (2020) Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2019 to 2020: report

21 NHS, (2020) Statistics on Alcohol, England 2020

22 Public Health England, (2020) Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2019 to 2020: report

23 Public Health England, (2020) Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2019 to 2020: report

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