01 Aug 2025

Welcome to an in-depth exploration of alcohol addiction statistics in the United Kingdom. In this article, we delve into various aspects of alcohol consumption, its impact on health, the challenges of alcohol dependence, and the available treatment options. All the statistics presented here are sourced from reputable databases and studies to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Alcohol Consumption in the UK

Total Alcohol Consumption

Today, average consumption per adult is about 9.7 litres of pure alcohol per year – or about 18 units a week. There is no reason to think that drinking behaviours are fixed or unchanging. In the UK, where tradition and social life often intertwine, drinking alcohol has become a deeply rooted part of the culture, shaping everything from celebrations to everyday interactions.

In 2023, there were 8,274 alcohol-specific deaths in England, marking a 4.6% increase from 2022 and a 63.8% rise since 2006. This equates to 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people—the highest rate since records began.

Alcohol-related hospital admissions also remain high:

  • 1,018,986 admissions (broad measure) with a rate of 1,824 per 100,000
  • 280,747 admissions (narrow measure) at a rate of 504 per 100,000

Source: OHID Alcohol Profile - December 2024

  • In 2019, 48% of adults (aged 16+) reported drinking alcohol at least once a week.
  • 55% of males reported drinking alcohol at least once a week compared to 41% of females.
  • 8% of males reported drinking alcohol almost every day compared to 5% of females.
  • From 2021 to 2022, there were 342,795 hospital admissions that were wholly due to alcohol. This equates to a rate of 626 per 100,000 population.

Consumption by Age

  • 81% of adults drank alcohol in the previous year (84% of men, 78% of women).
  • 55% of men and 42% of women reported drinking at least once a week.
  • 32% of men and 15% of women exceeded the recommended 14 units of alcohol per week.

Source: 2022 Health Survey for England

Higher-risk drinking (measured by AUDIT scores):

  • Highest in 16–24-year-olds (20%)
  • Lowest in adults aged 65+ (6%)
  • In 2017, men are more likely to drink than women and those aged 45-64 are the most likely to drink, while those aged 16-24 are the least likely to drink
  • Since 2005, teetotalism has increased among those aged 16-44, but has fallen by 5% for those aged 65 and over
  • Although 16-24 year olds are less likely to have drunk alcohol in the past week, when they do drink, they are more likely to drink at high levels (2017)

Consumption by Region

A clear socioeconomic divide exists: people in the most deprived areas experience more than double the alcohol-specific death rate compared to those in the least deprived (20.9 vs 9.8 per 100,000).

  • The North East of England had the highest alcohol-specific death rate at 25.7 per 100,000.
  • The East of England had the lowest rate at 11.5 per 100,000.
  • In Scotland, the rate was 22.6 per 100,000, while in Wales it stood at 17.7 per 100,000.
  • Northern Ireland reported 18.5 per 100,000.

Sources: ONS Alcohol-Specific Deaths, Commons Library Alcohol Statistics 2024

  • Highest alcohol consumption: East of England
  • Lowest alcohol consumption: Wales

Alcohol and Health

Health Impact Statistics

Alcohol is associated with a wide range of health issues. In 2023:

According to a new study by researchers from Oxford Population Health and Peking University:

  • Among 207 diseases studied, self-reported alcohol intake was associated with higher risks of 61 diseases in men. This included 28 diseases previously established by the World Health Organisation as alcohol-related, such as liver cirrhosis, stroke, and several gastrointestinal cancers, and 33 diseases not previously established as alcohol-related, such as gout, cataract, some fractures, and gastric ulcer.
  • Certain drinking patterns, such as drinking daily, drinking in heavy “binge” episodes, or drinking outside mealtimes, particularly increased the risks of certain diseases, particularly liver cirrhosis.
  • Alcohol can also inhibit sleep, trigger migraines and has been linked to mental health disorders such as depression.

Impact on the Brain

Studies consistently show that over 50% of alcohol-dependent individuals experience cognitive impairment. This includes memory problems, reduced attention span, and executive dysfunction.

Source: Drinkaware - Alcohol and Brain Health

Over half of all dependent drinkers are likely to experience alcohol related cognitive impairment.

Learn more about spotting alcoholism in your loved ones.

Alcohol Dependence

Prevalence and Challenges

Source: OHID Adult Substance Misuse Treatment Statistics 2024

Normal Drinking Habits

  • Most UK adults stay within the Chief Medical Officers’ guideline of no more than 14 units per week, spread over at least three days. However, binge drinking and irregular patterns are common in younger adults.
  • According to the NHS, it’s recommended no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more. That's around 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer.
  • A report by Alcohol Change UK reveals that 1 in 5 people feel pressured by friends to drink—highlighting the growing issue of sober shaming in social settings.

Gender Breakdown

  • More men than women were admitted to hospital where the main reason was attributable to alcohol - 65% of the patients were male.
  • The number of hospital admissions in 2021 - 2022 wholly due to alcohol in men during this time period was double the figure for women (232,783 and 110,012 respectively).

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

There are various different treatment options for alcohol addiction. These may include:

Find the Right Support for Alcohol Addiction

In summary, the statistics paint a comprehensive picture of alcohol addiction in the UK. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are effective and proven treatments available. Whether it's detox, rehabilitation, or ongoing support, speaking to a medical professional or an addiction referral service like Rehabs UK is the first step towards recovery.

Remember, the journey to recovery starts with seeking help. Contact Rehabs UK to help guide you through every step.