THE rate of alcohol-related deaths has increased by almost 50% in the past 20 years, according to official figures.
n the 15 to 74 age range, deaths have risen by 48% from 15.8 per 100,000 people in 2001 to 23.4 in 2019, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) found.
The figures around the alcohol-specific age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) were published in a study on Thursday.
Since 2012/13, there have been more than 10,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions per year.
It was revealed last month that there were 336 alcohol-related deaths in 2019 — more than a third higher than a decade ago and an 18% increase on 2018.
Between 2001 and 2019, male mortality rates for alcohol deaths were approximately two times higher than female rates.
However, mortality rates for women have risen more sharply, both where alcohol was the underlying cause of death (rising 41% in males and 64% in females) and where alcohol was a contributory cause (76% in males and 124% in females).
For contributory alcohol deaths in people aged 16 to 44, the main underlying causes of death were drugs (38%) and transport accidents (18%).
For people aged over 45 with alcohol as a contributory factor in their deaths, chronic conditions were generally the underlying causes.
The highest ASMRs were in the Belfast City Council (59.9) and the Derry and Strabane District Council (49.2) areas.
Women aged 65 to 74 had a 42% reduced likelihood of an alcohol-related death compared to females aged 16 to 44.
Alex Bunting, group director of addiction and mental health at Addiction NI, said the figures showed Northern Ireland needed new strategies.
“This report highlights significant issues for older adults, with further increases in death and illness linked to alcohol as people age,” he added.
“Also outlined is the co-occurring issues of alcohol use and poor mental health, highlighting the links between mental health and substance use issues.”
Gary McMichael, chief executive of the addiction charity ASCERT, said more work had to be done around limiting access to alcohol, including a review of marketing restrictions, particularly in light of the Covid crisis.
“There has been a lot of discussion about the potential mental health crisis as a legacy of the pandemic, but this will also be the case for alcohol and addiction,” he said.
Health Minister Robin Swann said tackling the damage caused by the abuse of alcohol was a key public health challenge.
He stressed that his department worked with Nisra on the report as part of the development of a new alcohol and drug strategy. He also plans to run a public consultation around minimum alcohol pricing.
“We can see from this report the very real and increasing harm that alcohol consumption can cause to individuals, families and communities right across the province,” Mr Swann added.
“Importantly, the evidence also shows us that the harms do not impact equally on all parts of our society. We need to do more to address these inequalities.”
÷ If you or someone you know needs help, you can call Addiction NI on 02890 664 434 or visit www.addictionni.com
