Alcohol Consumption UK: Consequences
What are the social and personal consequences related to alcohol consumption? Here is the UK data around alcohol-related crime, treatment, hospital admissions and deaths.
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There are two different ways to measure possible alcohol dependence. One way is through the World Health Organisation's Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and another way is through a shortened version, AUDIT-C.
In 2022, 7% of adults were high risk or possible dependent drinkers (AUDIT).
Source: Drinkaware Monitor (2022).
In 2022, 7% of adults were high risk or possible dependent drinkers (AUDIT).
Source: Drinkaware Monitor (2022).
In 2022, 6% of adults were high risk or possible dependent drinkers (AUDIT).
Source: Drinkaware Monitor (2022).
In 2022, 8% of adults were high risk or possible dependent drinkers (AUDIT).
Source: Drinkaware Monitor (2022).
People from lower socio-economic groups suffer more harm from alcohol than those from higher socio-economic groups, despite consuming either the same amount of alcohol or less.
For further information read our Research Highlight on the Alcohol Harm Paradox.
In 2020/21, 80% of dependent drinkers were not receiving treatment.
Source: Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2020 to 2021
In 2020/21, there were 7,539 people beginning treatment for alcohol.
In 2019/20, there were 75,616 Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) delivered.
Source: Alcohol Brief Interventions
In 2019, approximately 6,743 people were in treatment for alcohol misuse and/or drugs.
Source: Extent of Substance Use and Misuse in Northern Ireland
Alcohol-related hospital admissions can be measured using either a broad or a narrow measure:
Based on a broad measure of alcohol-related hospital admissions:
Based on a narrow measure of alcohol-related hospital admissions:
Based on a broad measure of alcohol-related hospital admissions:
Based on a narrow measure of alcohol-related hospital admissions:
Source: Health Maps Wales; Data Mining Wales
In 2020/21, there were an estimated 35,124 admissions related to alcohol consumption which decreased by 10% from 2019/20.
Source: Public Health Scotland - Alcohol related hospital statistics
Based on a broad measure of alcohol-related hospital admissions:
Based on a narrow measure of alcohol-related hospital admissions:
Source: HSCNI - Extent of substance use and misuse in Northern Ireland
In 2021, there were 7,558 alcohol-specific deaths.
Source: Office for National Statistics - Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK
In 2021, there were 472 alcohol-specific deaths.
Source: Office for National Statistics - Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK
In 2021, there were 1,245 alcohol-specific deaths.
Source: Office for National Statistics - Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK
In 2021, there were 351 alcohol-specific deaths.
Source: Office for National Statistics - Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK
In 2021, there were 9,641 alcohol-specific deaths.
Source: Office for National Statistics - Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK
In 2020, there were an estimated 525,000 incidents of violent crime where the victim believed the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol.
Source: Office for National Statistics - Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2020
In 2019/20, there were an estimated 194,000 incidents of violent crime.
Source: Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2019/20: main findings
In 2020/21, there were an estimated 11,797 incidents of violent crime where the victim believed the offender(s) was under the influence of alcohol.
Source: PSNI: Police recorded crime Annual Trends 1998/99 to 2020/21 (published 19 November 2021)
A 2016 Public Health England evidence review estimates the economic burden of alcohol as between 1.3% and 2.7% of annual UK GDP (approximately £21-£52 billion).
You can access the full report here.
In 2020, approximately 5,920 people were injured or killed on roads where a driver or rider was over the alcohol limit.
Source: Department for Transport - Reported drinking and driving: data tables
In 2020, approximately 310 people were injured or killed on roads where a driver or rider was over the alcohol limit.
Source: Department for Transport - Reported drinking and driving: data tables
In 2020, approximately 250 people were injured or killed on roads where a driver or rider was over the alcohol limit.
Source: Department for Transport - Reported drinking and driving: data tables
In 2020, approximately 6,480 people were injured or killed on roads where a driver or rider was over the alcohol limit.
Source: Department for Transport - Reported drinking and driving: data tables
If you're interested in discovering more about alcohol consumption in the UK please find additional Drinkaware research here:
This report compares the drinking habits of young adults, aged 18 to 24, with the rest of the population to discover whether young adults really are a generation of non-drinkers.
Find out more
The report explores alcohol consumption, drinking behaviour, and experiences among gender and sexual minority (GSM) individuals in the UK.
Find out more
Last Reviewed: 2nd December 2022
Next Review due: 2nd December 2023