Binge drinking on the rise in the UK

Binge drinking in Britain is on the rise as prescriptions for alcoholism soar 12% over the past year.

Britain is officially binge drinking it's way through the recession as prescriptions for alcoholism rise by 12% over the past year.

Over 150,000 prescriptions were issued to treat withdrawal systems of alcohol according to the latest NHS data.

Costing the NHS approximately£2.38 million, this figure is a staggering 43% rise from 2003.

‘This report shows a year-on-year increase in prescriptions being dispensed to help people battle their dependency on alcohol,' said Tim Straughan, the NHS Information Centre chief executive.

‘The report also shows the burden alcohol places on the health service in England and will be of use to healthcare professionals as they plan how to tackle the issue'.

The data shows that the figure of alcohol dependency is highest in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and East of England. The figure was lowest in the capital.

‘You don't have to be dependent on alcohol to be drinking at levels that put your health at risk,' warns Chris Sorek, chief executive of Drinkaware.

‘More than one in five men and over one in 10 women are technically being-drinking once a week and they probably don't even realise,'

‘It's shocking to discover that alcohol-related deaths are again on the increase - and, with a rise in prescription items dispensed to treat drink dependency, it's vital now, more than ever, that we act to educate people on the effects of drinking too much before more people come to harm'.

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