Medically reviewed by Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)
MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified
In the United Kingdom, more than 29 million people over the age of 16 drink alcohol each year.
When consumed in moderation, drinking alcohol does not pose a risk.
However, as more than 17% of adults who consume alcohol admit to binge drinking, and one in ten peopleacross the nation are alcohol dependent, alcohol use, abuse, and dependencies continue to have a widespread effect on the lives of millions.
To offer greater insight into alcohol use, the impact alcohol has, and the treatment available for alcohol addictions, we have shared a wealth of alcohol facts & statistics here.
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Alcohol and Physical Health
From damaging the heart to increasing the risk of liver disease and cancer, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism confirms that drinking too much alcohol gradually takes a toll on an individual’s physical health.
However, due to the euphoric sensations that come with consuming alcohol, many individuals overlook the impact alcohol has on their physical health. Regrettably, this has seen the number of people requiring medical treatment soar.
In England in 2019/20, there were 976,425 hospital admissions related to alcohol consumption, a rate 12% higher than in 2016/17 [1], with the largest number of admission in the 55-65 age bracket[2]. Meanwhile, cancer, liver disease and cardiovascular disease are all cited as conditions caused by drinking alcohol.
In addition to the above, physical health complications that arise when alcohol is used and abused include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Digestive problems
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Infertility
- Pancreatitis
Treatment is available for those who are abusing alcohol. There has been an increase in prescription items being dispensed in 2020/21 to treat alcohol dependence, a total of 167 thousand prescriptions which is 1% higher than 2019/20. [3]
Alcohol and Mental Health
Alcohol, like many other substances, is often consumed recreationally in social settings. However, a large proportion of those who drink excessively is more likely to develop anxiety and depression and be more susceptible to psychosis, self-harm and suicide. [4]
As the effects of alcohol wear off, mental health disorders intensify and worsen considerably. Below, we have outlined several alcohol facts & statistics that offer insight into alcohol and mental health.
- People with anxiety are 41% more likely to consume alcohol.
- Individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder use alcohol to self-medicate.
- Alcohol has been described as ‘the UK’s favourite coping mechanism’. [5]
- People with severe and enduring mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are at least three times as likely to be
alcohol dependent as the general population. [6]
When alcohol is consumed to alleviate mental health disorders, dual diagnosis treatment is the most suitable treatment option. This treatment ensures that individuals can simultaneously withdraw from alcohol and overcome mental health disorders.
Without dual diagnosis treatment, individuals who consume alcohol to relieve mental health disorders are more likely to attempt or commit suicide due to their inability to cope.
Alcohol and Other Substances
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration confirmed that individuals who use and abuse alcohol often consume drugs and prescription medication.
Mixing alcohol with other substances is extremely dangerous and can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing. [7]
When unable to cope with the effect of alcohol and other substances such as heroin and cocaine, the body goes into shock, which ultimately leads to death.
Treatment Options For Alcohol Addiction
Across the United Kingdom, alcohol addiction treatment is widely available. However, there were 270,705 adults in contact with drug and alcohol services between April 2019 and March 2020. [8]
Without professional treatment, alcohol addictions are impossible to overcome and, as noted above, lead to many physical and mental health problems. NHS and private rehabs offer various life-saving treatment options to ensure that alcohol addiction treatment can be accessed when needed.
NHS Rehabs and Treatment
The treatment provided by NHS rehabs depends on the severity of an individual’s addiction and recovery goals. However, those who attend an NHS rehab often encounter the following treatments:
- Counselling sessions
- Alcohol support groups
- Detoxification
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Medication
NHS treatment is provided on an outpatient basis and is free of charge. Offering greater flexibility, NHS treatment requires less commitment than private rehab treatment.
Private Rehabs and Treatment
Although attending an NHS rehab for treatment helps many overcome their alcohol addiction, demand for private rehabilitation and treatment is at an all-time high.
Administered on an inpatient basis, private rehabs, or residential rehabs as they are otherwise known, offer the following treatment options to those struggling with alcohol addictions:
- Alcohol detox
- Psychological therapy
- Well-being therapy
- One-to-one therapy
- Group therapy
- Counselling
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Relapse prevention
- Aftercare support
The treatment an individual undergoes during their time in a private rehab will depend on the severity of their addiction, the physical effects and the impact alcohol has had on their mental health.
Contact Us Today
When an alcohol addiction impacts an individual’s life, alcohol addiction treatment must be sought via a professional treatment provider.
Ensuring that those in need of treatment can refer themselves to a suitable rehab within a short space of time, our referral service has helped thousands of individuals obtain alcohol addiction treatment.
Whether you would like to refer yourself for treatment or hope to refer a loved one for treatment, contact us by calling 0800 012 6088 today.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1] more than 29 million people over the age of 16 drink alcohol each year - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/drugusealcoholandsmoking/bulletins/opinionsandlifestylesurveyadultdrinkinghabitsingreatbritain/2005to2016
- [2] more than 17% of adults who consume alcohol admit to binge drinking - https://www.statista.com/topics/3281/alcohol-use-in-the-united-kingdom/
- [3] one in ten peopleacross the nation are alcohol dependent - https://www.alcoholpolicy.net/stats-figures/
- [4] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body
- [5] People with anxiety are 41% more likely to consume alcohol - https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2021/january/alcohol-use-covid-19.html
- [6] more likely to attempt or commit suicide due to their inability to cope. - https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/90-98.htm
- [7] individuals who use and abuse alcohol often consume drugs and prescription medication - https://www.alcohol.org/mixing-with/
Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.
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