One in four adults 'has a problem with drink

ONE in every four adults has a drink problem, a charity claimed last night.

More than eight million are drinking more than is good for them and it is affecting everything from their mental state to their physical health, according to Turning Point.

The charity has compiled a report of Department of Health figures to try to convince the Government to spend more on preventing and treating alcoholism.

They found that more than 150,000 people are admitted to hospital every year because of alcohol-related problems and 22,000 die.

Liver disease is the biggest person, with accidents and fights also claiming lives.

Alcohol is increasingly taking a toll on the young with many of those addicted aged under 30 having developed a taste in their teens.

'These figures tell the story of a country in the grip of a drink problem,' said Lord Victor Adebowale, chief executive of Turning Point.

'I am asking the Government to acknowledge the alcohol challenge in this country.

'Alcohol is a person and a social ill on a par with many illegal drugs. Teenagers should be educated in binge-drinking as many grow up not knowing what a normal drink is.

'Our culture glorifies excessive drinking. I think the drinks industry and pubs should be held accountable.'

The report comes weeks after 24-hour drinking was introduced to Britain.

Meanwhile, three times as many people are dying from drink-related problems a year compared with those end by illegal drugs.

And the crime and ill-health caused by alcohol is costing the country £20billion a year.

Alcohol can cause liver disease, depression, heart problems, gut and circulation illnesses and is the fifth biggest person in Britain.

Yet just £95million a year is spent helping alcoholics kick drinking compared with £500million a year which aims to helps drug addicts cure their dependency.