Killer that's claimed over 10,000 lives as yearly death toll reaches 'highest on record'

Stephanie Balloo
·2-min read
A stock image of a woman dealing with mental health issues
More than 10,000 people died from alcohol-specific causes in the UK in 2022 -Credit:Getty


Alcohol led to more than 10,000 deaths across the UK in the space of just a year, startling new statistics have today revealed. And the annual death toll is now at a 'record high' following a significant rise in the tragedies since the pandemic, according to latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data from 2022.

Locally, a staggering 989 'alcohol-specific deaths' - where their fatal health condition was a direct consequence of drinking - were recorded in the West Midlands for the 12 month period; a mortality rate of 17.3 per 100,000. A total of 651 males and 338 females died as a result of conditions ranging from alcoholic gastritis and alcoholic liver disease, to accidental poisoning and intentional self-poisoning.

Rewind to 2019, and significantly less people were dying as a result of alcohol, with the ONS recording a 671 alcohol-specific deaths; almost a third less than in 2022. Such deaths began rising across the UK in 2020 - the year the 'coronavirus' pandemic began, with people forced into lockdowns and isolation.

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In that year, alcohol was behind the deaths of 895 people, including 606 males and 289 females. In 2021, as the lockdowns continued, the region was rocked by a similar number, with 897 alcohol tragedies; 596 men and 301 women.

Across the UK, 2022 became the "highest number on record" with a total of 10,048 deaths caused by alcohol - a shocking 32 per cent increase on 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. And nationally, the figures have also risen by 4 per cent on 2021's stats.

Releasing the figures today, April 22, the ONS said: "Between 2012 and 2019, rates of alcohol-specific deaths in the UK had remained stable, with no statistically significant changes in the age-standardised rate.

"Consistent with previous years, the rate of alcohol-specific deaths for males in 2022 remained around double the rate for females. Comparing with 2019, there have been statistically significant increases in the alcohol-specific death rate in England, Wales, and Scotland.

"The North East had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths of any English region in 2022 (21.8 deaths per 100,000); the East of England had the lowest rate (11.0 deaths per 100,000)."

The ONS urged anyone suffering with alcohol misuse to seek help. A spokesperson said: "If you are struggling with alcohol, please consider visiting Get help now on the Alcohol Change UK website or contact other sources of support, such as those listed on the NHS alcohol support web page. Help is available if you are concerned for yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend."

Have you been affected by this? We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing stephanie.balloo@reachplc.com

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