Alcohol related death rates are falling

By Morgan Whyte

For the first time since the pandemic, fewer people are dying from drinking, especially in the 25-59 age category.

People in our parent’s generation are more likely to die of alcohol related issues such as liver damage or throat cancer which are caused by excessive drinking.

Ash Singleton, Director of Research and Public Affairs at Alcohol Change UK, said; “When we drink alcohol, there are a range of effects on our health, wellbeing and quality of life.”

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) data only showed the figures that cover alcohol specific deaths, deaths caused by diseases related to excessive alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Change UK said: “Deaths caused by diseases known to be a direct consequence of alcohol, such as alcohol-related liver disease, made up 75.6% of alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2023.”

However, alcohol related deaths in Scotland have been declining for the past 18 years, peaking in 2006 at 28 deaths per 100,000 people.

The good news is that there’s evidence that young people are drinking less, with many even giving up all together or never touching alcohol to begin with.

“I only drink on special occasions really, or if I’m out for dinner,” said Abbie Cairns, age 18 from Carluke.

In Northern Ireland there has been a decrease in alcohol deaths for the first time since 2019 bringing it down to 19 deaths per 100,000.

The picture in England is looking much bleaker.

Across the whole of England in 2019, there was 10 deaths per 100,000 people, this has gone up by 14 in 2023.

The North East of England had the most alcohol specific deaths compared to any other region in England, with 27 deaths per 100,000.

The ONS data also showed that men are twice as likely than women to die from excessive drinking, this has remained consistent for several years.