Graham Beech, Chief Executive, Action On Addiction
Statement on Office of National Statistics alcohol-specific deaths reports released February 2nd, 2021
Commenting on the 2 Office of National Statistics reports "Quarterly alcohol-specific deaths in England and Wales: 2001 to 2019 registrations and Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) to Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020 provisional registrations" and "Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2019" Action on Addiction Chief Executive said:
“The annual and quarterly statistics show a worrying trend in alcohol specific deaths and demonstrate the stark impact that long term misuse and dependency on alcohol has on individual health.
An alcohol related death is an avoidable death. Behind every statistic is an individual and a family devastated by its impact. However, a public health tragedy lies behind each and every number. Many of those lost will have lived with an untreated alcohol addiction and its consequences for years.
Yet we know from the work we do that recovery from addiction is possible. We know that if people have access to specialist treatment, supportive communities and interventions that reconnect families, they can rebuild their lives and move on from an addiction. Day in day out we see lives and families transformed where many didn’t believe it possible.
Tragically this wasn’t the story for the people behind the statistics today. Too often people are left unaware of, or unable to access the treatment and support that will save their lives.
This cannot continue. At a time when alcohol related deaths are approaching an all-time high, it is more difficult than ever for people to access the treatment they need, and a pandemic that is seeing concerning rises in levels of harmful drinking. We must take action now, increasing access to high quality treatment and providing support for families in order to prevent the avoidable deaths of the future."
Graham Beech, Chief Executive, Action on Addiction.
All our treatment centres have stayed open and continue to provide life-saving care, if you If you are living with an alcohol addiction and want to discuss treatment you can contact our residential treatment centre Clouds House.
To read more on the ONS reports click below
Quarterly alcohol-specific deaths in England and Wales: 2001 to 2019 registrations and Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) to Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020 provisional registrations
Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2019
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