NEW data has revealed alcohol mortality figures have rocketed during the pandemic while hospitals have been crippled with admissions, with Warrington hospital seeing an increase from 3,763 to 4,267.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, 3,247 people across the North West died from alcohol-related conditions.
Across the North West there were nearly 5% more deaths directly attributable to alcohol than in 2019 (3,123 deaths) and 8% more than four years ago (3,009 deaths).
Areas in the North West with the highest alcohol mortality count in 2020 include Lancashire (565 deaths up from 536 in 2019), Cumbria (237 deaths up from 206 in 2019) and Liverpool (217 deaths up from 201 in 2019).
The 2020 alcohol-related mortality per 100,000 people rate is worst in Blackpool (68.9 per 100,000), Rochdale (55.2 per 100,000) and Manchester (54.6 per 100,000).
At the same time, Public Health England has also revealed the most recent number of alcohol-related hospital admissions across the North West for 2019/20.
Analysis of the figures by www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/v106/ alcohol addiction treatment providers UKAT reveals that hospitals were hit with 149,350 admission episodes for alcohol-related conditions.
UKAT’s analysis shows that this is up slightly from 146,015 admissions in 2018/19 and up 10% since 2016/17 (135,540 hospital admissions).
Areas in the North West where alcohol-related hospital admissions rose in 2019/20 compared to the previous year include Halton (3,067 admissions up from 2,805), Tameside (4,699 admissions up from 4,413) and Warrington (4,267 admissions up from 3,763).
The UK Addiction Treatment Group has eight residential rehabilitation facilities across the country- including Oasis Recovery in Runcorn- and has treated more people for alcohol addiction in 2021 than any other year.
The 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 here- www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/v106/
Check your own alcohol usage here – www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/cage-questionnaire/v111/
