Drinking has reached hazardous levels to health according to a new report with a quarter of the UK’s adult population at risk.

Nearly one in ten men are displaying signs that they are alcohol dependent with the figure for women at one in 25. One in three men consume alcohol to the point that they’re damaging their liver and putting themselves at risk of mental health problems such as depression; the figure for women is one in six.

Alcohol related illness is placing an ever greater burden on the NHS and this latest report from the NHS Information Centre once again highlights the problem. Admissions to hospital from alcohol-related problems were up by 70% in the last five years. Prescription drugs to reduce alcohol cravings rose by 31% with the overall cost of alcohol-related harm to the NHS up to £2.7 billion and rising.

An expert in alcohol abuse and health from the Royal College of Physicians placed the affordability of alcohol as a key factor in the increase of consumption and it should be one of the main areas to be addressed if the problem is to be overcome.

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction complementary therapy and alternative medicine could help. Read more about alcohol addiction and how hypnosis can help here.