Alcohol dependence affects 4% of people aged between 16 and 65 in England (6% of men and 2% of women), and over 24% of the English population (33% of men and 16% of women) consume alcohol in a way that is potentially or actually harmful to their health or well-being. Alcohol misuse is also an increasing problem in children and young people, with over 24,000 treated in the NHS for alcohol-related problems in 2008 and 2009 (1)
Hospital admissions for alcoholism average 20,000 per year. Each year 5,000 to 10,000 people die prematurely from alcohol abuse. The more alcohol a population consumes the more alcohol-related damage will result, and consumption has been increasing steadily in England since the second world war.
Deaths from liver cirrhosis relate closely to heavy drinking and rates are rising in most countries.
Some occupations give rise to an increased risk of alcoholism, for example doctors, sailors and demolition workers.
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