05 February 2025
Today (Wednesday, 5 February), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published its annual report on alcohol-specific deaths. It shows significant increases in the alcohol-specific death rate in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Findings include:
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10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK, the highest number on record.
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This is 4.2% higher than in 2022 and 38.4% higher than in 2019, the last pre COVID-19 pandemic year.
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England and Wales had an increase in the rate of alcohol-specific deaths compared with 2022.
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The North East had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths of any English region. The East of England had the lowest rate.
The figures for Scotland were first released by the National Records of Scotland last year. They show that Scotland continues to have the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths, with this rate remaining unchanged when compared to 2022. You can read our statement here.
Statement from WithYou
Simon Phillips, Chief Executive of WithYou, says:
It is heartbreaking to know that many of the 10,473 deaths that took place in 2023 were preventable. At WithYou, we see day in, day out that people can stop or reduce drinking and go on to lead healthier, happier lives - when they have the right support.
“It has been well over 10 years since the last alcohol strategy was published by the UK Government. In that time, alcohol-specific deaths have risen to record levels, with people in deprived areas far more likely to lose their lives.
“To tackle this public health crisis, the Government must commit to a new alcohol strategy, and a robust response to alcohol harm must be a clear priority in the upcoming NHS 10-year plan.
“Today, my thoughts are with all those who have lost a loved one to alcohol. I encourage people across the UK to reflect on the way they - and those around you - use alcohol. If you are worried, then please do get in touch. Our free webchat is a great first step in asking for help.”
Client story
Graeme, 36, lives in Glasgow. He started drinking heavily when his “granda” died 10 years ago. He was hospitalised many times due to alcohol, and developed alcohol-related pancreatitis.
Graeme was supported by the North East Glasgow Hub, delivered by WithYou, to stop drinking.
He says: “I was very isolated. I would be sitting in one room in the house. The only time I would leave was to go and get alcohol.
“A lot of the time I would wake up too early and I would have cravings for alcohol. It would get to a certain time of night, 9.45, and I would have to rush to the shop to make sure I had enough alcohol to get through the night.
“It was not a nice existence. I wasn’t living. The world was very dark and it wasn’t a very nice place. I felt suicidal quite a lot of the time and I would be annoyed when I woke up in the morning.
Coming out the other side and seeing the world for what it is now, it’s a much happier place. The sun shines brighter, the grass is greener, the birds choir louder. It’s a much better place to be.
Graeme says he is now “thriving within the community. I’m volunteering and using what I went through to help others who have been through similar experiences.”