Public Health England has this month revealed the number of people living in the South East who lost their lives to alcohol last year.
The 2020 alcohol-related mortality rate per 100,000 people is worst on the Isle of Wight (47.2 per 100,000), with Portsmouth coming second (44.4 per 100,000) and Reading third (44.3 per 100,000).
The highest ever recorded
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, 3,132 people across the South East died from alcohol-related conditions, the highest ever recorded.
This was six per cent more deaths directly attributable to alcohol than in 2019 (2,960 deaths) and 10 per cent more than four years ago (2,853 deaths).
Hospital admissions
At the same time, Public Health England has also revealed the most recent number of alcohol-related hospital admissions across the South East for 2019/20.
Analysis of the figures by alcohol addiction treatment providers UKAT reveals that hospitals were hit with 141,648 admission episodes for alcohol-related conditions.
Up 22 per cent since 2016/17
UKAT’s analysis shows that this is up 10 per cent from 128,704 admissions in 2018/19 and up 22 per cent since 2016/17 (116,339 hospital admissions).
Areas in the South East where alcohol-related hospital admissions rose in 2019/20 compared to the previous year include Portsmouth (3,554 admissions up from 3,376), Southampton (8,088 admissions up from 6,670) and Wokingham (1,740 admissions up from 1,575).
Albuquerque: A direct fall-out from the Covid-19 pandemic
The UK Addiction Treatment Group’s Head of Treatment, Nuno Albuquerque, comments,
“2021 has seen record-breaking admissions for alcohol addiction treatment. We believe this is a direct fall-out from the Covid-19 pandemic where unfortunately more people than ever turned to alcohol as a coping strategy, and for some, this developed into addiction.
“This can be a difficult time of the year for a lot of people, regardless of the added stress and worry of the on-going Covid crisis. We’re urging people to try to avoid using alcohol as a way to mask or cope with their emotions. Please remember that although it is a legal substance, it is very dangerous and can have a real impact on your mental health.
“If you’re struggling, we recommend talking to a loved one or a professional, or going for a walk and enjoying nature which is wonderful at this time of year.”
UKAT has 24/7 free, confidential help and advice on alcohol on the Website.
Check your own alcohol usage via the Website.
News shared by Claire on behalf of UKAT. Ed
