Alcohol-related deaths in Wales hit record high, report reveals

 

Latest figures on substance misuse from Public Health Wales have revealed worrying trends in alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions across the country.

The report, which examines data from health, social care, education, and criminal justice services, highlights the continuing need to recognise and address the growing public health impacts of alcohol consumption.

Rising alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions

Alcohol-specific deaths – those from conditions wholly or partially caused by alcohol – increased to a new record high with 562 fatalities recorded in Wales in 2023, marking a 15.6 per cent increase from the previous year (486) and a significant rise from 10 years before (351 in 2014).

Of the alcohol-specific deaths in 2023, nearly two-thirds (64.8 per cent) involved males.

Furthermore, there were 683 alcohol-related deaths in Wales in 2023, representing a 10.5 per cent rise from the previous year (618) and a substantial increase from a decade before (462).

Alcohol-specific hospital admissions continue to rise, with over 12,000 (12,236) admissions involving more than 8,000 (8,147) individuals.

Older adults aged 50+ made up 67 per cent of those cases.

The highest admission rates were recorded in Merthyr Tydfil (397 per 100,000 people)—more than double the rate in Powys, which had the lowest admissions.

Alcohol-related health concerns in Flintshire

Flintshire has seen a 10% drop in hospital admissions for conditions entirely caused by alcohol (such as liver disease) in 2023/24.

However, when looking at all hospital admissions where alcohol was a contributing factor—including conditions like certain cancers and injuries—the decrease was only 4%, with 1,020 admissions per 100,000 people.

Despite these small improvements, Flintshire still has one of the highest alcohol-related hospital admission rates in North Wales.

This means alcohol misuse remains a major issue, affecting hundreds of residents and continuing to put pressure on health services.

Public health experts say more support and intervention are needed to tackle the problem.

The role of deprivation and youth alcohol-related issues

Deprivation plays a significant role, with individuals from the most deprived areas in Wales 2.8 times more likely to be admitted for alcohol-specific conditions than those from the least deprived areas.

While overall alcohol-specific hospital admissions among those under 25 declined by 17.4 per cent compared to the previous year, school exclusions related to drugs and alcohol reached a record high of 939 cases in the 2022/23 academic year.

Prof Rick Lines, Head of the Substance Misuse Programme at Public Health Wales, said:

“The impacts of the harmful use of alcohol continue to be a concern across Wales, both in terms of drug-related deaths in which alcohol is a factor as well as the long-term health effects of alcohol.

“Access to substance misuse services for people who experience problematic alcohol use continues to be an important intervention. However, it’s important to recognise the risk of harm even among those who do not require treatment services.”

Helen Erswell, a consultant in public health at Public Health Wales, added:

“This report highlights the stark health inequalities in Wales, showing that individuals in the most deprived areas are disproportionately affected by alcohol-related issues.

“It underscores the vital need for investment in prevention-focused initiatives that can reduce future health risks, ultimately supporting longer, healthier lives for everyone in Wales.”

Support for those affected by alcohol misuse

Dan 24/7 is available to offer advice and support for queries about alcohol. Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be contacted by calling 0808 808 2234 or emailing [email protected].

For more information, visit www.dan247.org.uk.