Alcohol poisoning rates double in six years

Hospital admissions for alcohol poisoning have more than doubled in six years with the highest rates among young women aged 15-19-years-old, a new study shows.

Alcohol poisoning rates have more than doubled in England over the last six years

According to data from the Nuffield Trust, A&E visits for the effects of alcohol – such as liver disease – have also doubled (53.9%) over the last nine years to 250,000 people each year in England alone.

Hospital admissions were highest in deprived areas in the north of England and among men aged between 45 and 64-years-old.

However, the Nuffield Trust said these figures are underestimated because they do not include alcohol-related falls and fights, but focus on illnesses such as liver disease and alcohol poisoning.

They also do not cover those who attend A&E intoxicated but are then sent home without treatment or having ever been admitted as a patient.

“With the Christmas party season in full swing, it’s worth considering the full burden over-indulgence in alcohol is placing on our NHS, as well as the obvious human cost,” commented Claire Currie, joint author.

“Our research has uncovered a picture of rising and avoidable activity in hospitals, representing a stark challenge for the Health Service at a time when it’s already great pressure.

“Hospitals alone cannot tackle the issue – the government must consider measures such as minimum unit pricing, restricting availability and limiting marketing and advertising.”

The authors of the study also revealed that 90% of those who attended hospital for probable alcohol poisoning, and 72% of those who attended for specific emergency alcohol admissions only did so once in 2013/14 – highlighting the importance of “taking full advantage of these opportunities to provide advice on alcohol consumption”.