
Alcohol poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. While the number of alcohol-specific deaths in England has varied over the years, recent data shows a concerning trend. In 2021, there was a sharp increase, with alcoholic liver disease being the leading cause. The North East of England had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths, with 20.4 deaths per 100,000 people. The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to this rise, as individuals who previously drank heavily increased their alcohol consumption during lockdowns. The stigma associated with alcohol addiction and the lack of access to treatment options are also factors in these alarming statistics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2021 | 9,641 (14.8 per 100,000 people) |
| Alcohol-specific deaths in England in 2021 | 13.9 per 100,000 people |
| Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales in 2022 | 7,423 |
| Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales in 2019 | 5,698 |
| Region with the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England in 2021 | North East (20.4 per 100,000 people) |
| Region with the lowest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England in 2021 | London (10.2 per 100,000 people) |
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What You'll Learn

Alcohol poisoning deaths in England rose during the pandemic
Alcohol poisoning deaths in England have indeed risen during the pandemic. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of deaths caused by alcohol poisoning in England and Wales rose by 27.5% between 2019 and 2021, the highest increase in the UK. In 2021, there were 9,641 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, a 7.4% increase from 2020 and a 27.4% increase from 2019, the last pre-pandemic year.
While Scotland and Northern Ireland had the highest rates of alcohol-specific deaths in 2021, with 22.4 and 19.3 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively, England and Wales had lower rates, with 13.9 and 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people. However, when compared to 2019 figures, England and Wales saw the largest increases in rates, with 27.1% and 27.5% rises, respectively.
The North East of England had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in 2021, with 20.4 deaths per 100,000 people, while London had the lowest rate, with 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people. The male rate for London was more than double the female rate, with 14.8 deaths per 100,000 for men and 5.8 deaths per 100,000 for women.
The rise in alcohol-related deaths during and after the pandemic is attributed to increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Surveys show that many people turned to alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, and other pandemic-related issues. It is estimated that 2.4 million people who had been in recovery before the pandemic relapsed, and 9 million people in the UK increased their alcohol intake.
The high number of alcohol-related deaths, with the majority due to alcohol dependency, highlights the need to address the stigma and shame associated with alcohol addiction. It is crucial to increase access to treatment and support for those struggling with addiction, as well as resources for research on effective treatments.
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Alcohol-specific death rates in England in 2021
Alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise in England since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, there were 9,641 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, with England and Wales having lower rates of alcohol-specific deaths compared to Scotland and Northern Ireland. The rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England in 2021 was 13.9 per 100,000 people, an increase of 27.5% from 2019.
When comparing the rates of alcohol-specific deaths in 2021 with 2019, eight out of nine English regions observed statistically significant increases. The North East had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England for the eighth consecutive year, with 20.4 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. This was followed by North West England at 18.3 deaths per 100,000 people. London had the lowest rate, with 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people.
Alcoholic liver disease was the leading cause of alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2021, followed by mental and behavioural disorders caused by alcohol, and accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol. In 2022/23, alcohol-specific conditions were responsible for 320,082 hospital admissions in England, with males accounting for just over two-thirds of these admissions.
While the number of alcohol-specific deaths in Bristol fell from 59 in 2022 to 56 in 2021, the rate of deaths per 100,000 people in Bristol increased from 16 to 17 in the same period. Sunderland had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England and Wales in 2023, with 29 deaths per 100,000 people.
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Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales in 2022
Alcohol misuse is a serious issue that has claimed many lives in England and Wales. While the latest data available is for 2021, there has been a clear upward trend in alcohol-related deaths in recent years, with a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, there were 9,641 deaths registered in the UK from alcohol-specific causes, translating to 14.8 per 100,000 people. This figure represents a 7.4% increase from 2020 and a concerning 27.4% jump from 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. England and Wales had lower rates compared to Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 13.9 and 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively.
However, when comparing 2021 with 2019, England and Wales saw substantial increases in alcohol-specific death rates, with rises of 27.1% and 27.5%, respectively. The North East of England had the highest rate of any English region in 2021, with 20.4 deaths per 100,000, while London had the lowest at 10.2.
While data for 2022 alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales specifically is not readily available, the overall UK picture for that year is concerning. There were 10,048 deaths registered, equivalent to 16.6 per 100,000 people, representing a 4.2% increase over 2021. Once again, the North East had the highest rate of any English region, with 21.8 deaths per 100,000, and the East of England had the lowest at 11.0.
These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for increased focus, strategic direction, and funding for alcohol treatment services, akin to the recent positive developments in drug treatment services. The human and social costs of alcohol misuse are devastating, and efforts to improve access to treatment and reduce stigma are vital to combating this issue.
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Alcohol poisoning fatalities by region in England
Alcohol poisoning fatalities have been rising in England since 2019. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 9,641 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK in 2021, a 7.4% increase from 2020 and a 27.4% increase from 2019.
When comparing the rates of alcohol-specific deaths in different regions of England, the North East consistently had the highest rate for eight consecutive years up to 2021, with 20.4 deaths per 100,000 people. The North East continued to have the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in 2022, with 21.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
London had the lowest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in 2021, with 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people. The East of England had the lowest rate in 2022, with 11.0 deaths per 100,000 people.
The rate of alcohol-specific deaths for males in 2021 was around double that of females, with 20.1 and 9.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively. This trend continued in 2022, with 22.3 and 11.1 deaths per 100,000 people for males and females, respectively.
The rise in alcohol-specific deaths is likely due to increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. People who drank at higher levels before the pandemic were more likely to have increased their alcohol consumption during this period.
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Alcohol dependency as a cause of death in England
Alcohol dependency is a significant public health issue in England, and it is a leading cause of death in the country. Alcohol consumption plays a causal role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions. It is a toxic substance with dependence-producing properties.
In 2021, there were 9,641 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, a rate of 14.8 per 100,000 people. This was the highest number on record and represented a 7.4% increase from 2020 and a 27.4% increase from 2019. While Scotland and Northern Ireland had the highest rates of alcohol-specific deaths in 2021, England and Wales saw significant increases in rates compared to 2019, with 13.9 and 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively.
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have exacerbated the problem, with increased alcohol consumption during lockdowns and social restrictions. Surveys conducted during this time showed that many people turned to alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, and other pandemic-related issues. The rise in alcohol-related deaths during and after the pandemic was, therefore, not unexpected.
In 2022, the number of alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales reached an all-time high, with 7,423 alcohol-related deaths registered. The vast majority of these deaths were due to alcohol dependency. This represents a significant increase from 2019, when there were 5,698 alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales. The North East of England had the highest rate of any English region in 2021, with 20.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
The stigma and shame associated with alcohol addiction prevent many people from seeking help and contribute to the lack of access to recovery resources. It is imperative that this stigma is removed, and that addiction is recognized as a disease, not a choice. Government and health leaders need to increase access to treatment and recovery resources and provide training on addiction for frontline primary care providers.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 9,641 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK in 2021. England and Wales had 13.9 and 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively.
In 2019, there were 7,565 deaths from alcohol-specific causes in the UK, with England and Wales recording 5,698 alcohol-related deaths. In 2020, the number rose to 8,974 in the UK.
Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-specific deaths.
The North East had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in 2021 for the eighth consecutive year.
The COVID-19 pandemic is believed to have played a significant role, with increased alcohol consumption during this period. Surveys indicate that many people turned to alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, and other pandemic-related issues.







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