Official data reveals that in 2022, over 10,000 people in the UK lost their lives due to excessive alcohol consumption.
According to the SUN, this figure represents a significant increase of 4.2% compared to the previous year and nearly a third higher than the numbers recorded before the pandemic in 2019, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Experts have highlighted that individuals who already had a tendency to consume excessive amounts of alcohol prior to the Covid-19 pandemic were more likely to escalate their drinking habits during the lockdown periods.
David Mais, from the ONS, emphasized that the rise in alcohol-related deaths coincided with the onset of the pandemic and this trend has persisted.
The leading cause of these deaths was alcoholic liver disease, with higher rates observed among men, as has been the case in previous years.
It is worth noting that the NHS advises individuals in the UK to limit their alcohol intake to no more than 14 units per week, equivalent to approximately six pints of beer, spread across three or more days.
Exceeding this recommended limit significantly increases the risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as fatty liver disease, heart disease, and cancer.
The ONS data also revealed that alcohol-related deaths were twice as prevalent among men compared to women in 2022.
Furthermore, Scotland and Northern Ireland reported higher rates of alcohol-related deaths, with 22.6 and 19.5 deaths per 100,000 individuals respectively, in contrast to Wales and England. It is crucial to address this concerning trend and promote responsible alcohol consumption to safeguard public health.
The North East region of England had the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths at 21.8 per 100,000, while the East of England had the lowest rate at 11 per 100,000.
Dr Richard Piper, representing Alcohol Change UK, expressed his condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones, emphasizing that each death is a tragedy that could have been avoided with proper action on alcohol harm.
He called on the government to implement preventative measures such as regulating alcohol marketing, clearer labeling, and setting a minimum price.
Clare Taylor, the chief operating officer at Turning Point, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about safe drinking levels and the long-term harms of alcohol use to reduce further harm.
Alison Douglas, the chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, highlighted the ongoing alcohol emergency in Scotland despite the positive impact of minimum unit pricing.
She warned that changes in drinking patterns during the Covid-19 pandemic pose a significant risk of alcohol-related illness and deaths for the already strained NHS. She emphasized that every life lost to alcohol is a preventable tragedy for individuals, families, friends, and communities.
Credited to the SUN.
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