How Much Do People Really Drink?

People are drinking less - but deaths from excessive drinking are rising steadily, according to the latest government statistics, published by the NHS Information Centre.

The NHS figures, revealing a surge in prescriptions for medicines to treat alcoholism and a slight decrease in overall consumption, suggest that awareness of the health dangers and, possibly, the recession may be having some impact. Prescriptions for medicines to treat alcoholism rose by 12% in 2009; more than 150,000 were written for the two main drugs used to treat withdrawal symptoms or induce sickness when alcohol is drunk.

A cultural divide in boozing habits appears to be opening up between southern England and the North, with far less being drunk in London than anywhere else in the country. Overall, consumption of alcohol in the home (which was rising faster than tha outside the home) is down in the latest year.