Numbers show that alcohol caused the deaths of hundreds of people in Lancashire in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of deaths directly caused by excessive alcohol consumption rose by a record 20 percent across England in 2020, with thousands of people losing their lives to alcohol consumption.
The “devastating surge” is clear evidence of the impact the pandemic is having on people’s drinking habits, according to charities Drinkaware and Alcohol Change UK.
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Hundreds of alcohol deaths in Lancashire during the pandemic
Public Health England data shows 207 people from Lancashire were among the 6,985 people who died from alcohol-related causes across the country last year.
That is 166 in 2019.
Dr. Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK, said that in 2020 no less than one in four people drank more, with some adopting habits that could prove difficult to break.
He called for high quality and early support for those affected, adding: “There is evidence that the pandemic and the restrictions on our daily lives have led to an increase in alcohol consumption for many people.
“Each of us can be harmful, and everyone deserves to live a full life free from the harm caused by alcohol.”
He added, “The harm caused by alcohol goes beyond this unacceptable, preventable loss of life.
“Millions more suffer from deteriorated mental and physical health every day as a result of harmful alcohol consumption.”
The numbers suggest that 13 out of 100,000 people died of alcohol abuse in England alone last year – the rate in Lancashire was higher at 17.
During this time, the authorities registered a total of 20,500 deaths nationwide, which were wholly or partially attributable to alcohol consumption – 565 people were killed on site as a result.
Annabelle Bonus, Head of Evidence and Impact, Drinkaware, said harmful drinking habits that have become ingrained during times of lockdown may be ingrained.
She said, “To prevent more lives from being destroyed and to reduce inequalities, the government must make reducing alcohol harm a central public health priority.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Welfare said alcohol abuse could have tragic effects and said the government was determined to support those at risk.
He added: “With an additional investment of 780 million
“Work is underway to address alcohol-related health problems and their impact on people’s life chances and reduce related inequalities, including setting up specialized alcohol-related care teams in hospitals and helping children with alcoholic parents.”
