Alcohol Use Disorder is a problem faced by communities across the world. Those who are suffering from addiction experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms.
These symptoms range from mild discomfort such as headaches or nausea to extreme illnesses such as psychosis and seizures that can prove to be fatal.
In addition to the physical and psychological illnesses and pain it can cause someone, addiction can cause widespread issues among society.
From witnessing a loved one’s life deteriorating due to alcoholism to becoming a victim of abuse due to an intoxicated offender, there are many ways that alcohol use disorder affects people indirectly.
Furthermore, alcohol addiction does not discriminate. Whether you’re affluent, working class, male, female, or nonbinary, addiction has the capacity to directly and indirectly affect every class, gender, and race.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Use Disorder is defined as a medical condition in which someone is “impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences”.
When someone is suffering from alcohol use disorder, they are consumed with compulsive thoughts and behaviours to drink alcohol despite knowing the harm it is causing them and those around them.
10 Surprising Statistics on Alcohol Use Disorder in 2025
In our search, we ensured that each statistic is not only accurate but propagated by reputable sources. Here are some of the most surprising statistics on Alcohol Use Disorder in recent studies:
1. Over 1 Million Hospital Admissions in England Were Alcohol-Related
Studies show that there were 1,018,986 alcohol-related hospital admissions in England from 2023 to 2024, where the primary and/or secondary diagnosis was an alcohol-related condition, accounting for 1,824 per 100,000 people.
Of this figure, there were 280,747 admissions where the primary diagnosis was an alcohol-related condition.
This is also known as an alcohol-specific hospital admission, and this accounts for around 504 per 100,000 people.
Of these statistics, Southampton is the region that saw the highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions.
Similarly, the rest of the UK saw shocking statistics from 2023 to 2024. During this time, Northern Ireland and Scotland saw 23,490 and 32,301 alcohol-related hospital admissions respectively, and Wales saw 12,326 alcohol-specific admissions.
While the statistics are shocking, it’s also important to understand the differences between the two terms.
- Alcohol-specific admission: An alcohol-specific hospital admission refers to an instance where a patient is admitted because alcohol-use is the main cause of their illness or condition.
- Alcohol-related admission: An alcohol-related hospital admission is more broad, and refers to an instance where a patient is admitted into hospital but alcohol can be a contributing factor, not the sole reason that leads to one’s illness or condition.
2. Over 50% of Addicted People in the UK Don’t Receive Addiction Treatment
A study conducted by the UK government saw that 310,863 adults reached out to a drug and alcohol rehab treatment centre in London or referral service from April 2023 to March 2024. Of this figure, only 158,991 adults continued to undergo treatment.
Although this means that 51% of those who reached out to a treatment provider did enter treatment for addiction, there remains to be many more who are undiagnosed, unaware of their addiction, or reluctant to seek help entirely.
3. Genetic Traits are Responsible for 50-60% of People Vulnerable to AUD
Social and environmental factors, whether it be financial stress, housing insecurity, or growing up in an environment which encourages binge drinking, are always a factor in developing an addiction.
However, studies also show that biology and genetics play a significant part in vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
In fact, between 50% and 60% of the vulnerability to Alcohol Use Disorder is inherited.
A study from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism discovered that certain people with unique genes respond physiologically differently when alcohol is consumed.
These different genes can make someone more vulnerable – or more resilient – to developing an addiction to alcohol.
Some genes may lead to one person’s increased or decreased tolerance to alcohol, whereas others may mean that individuals metabolise alcohol more quickly than others.
This means that some people may inherit genes which makes them become intoxicated and dependent on alcohol more easily.
4. 72% of Patients in Addiction Rehab Required Additional Mental Health Treatment
According to the UK Government’s report Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2023 to 2024, 72% of patients in addiction recovery require additional mental health treatment.
This supports the common notion that addiction is often caused by mental health issues, or vice versa.
Some of the most common mental health disorders associated with substance addiction include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more.
Alcohol and mental health issues combine to form a mutually destructive relationship.
While someone who suffers from existing mental health conditions is more likely to develop an addiction, those who are addicted are more likely to develop these conditions.
Because of the destructive relationship between mental illness and addiction, it’s important that patients undergo dual diagnosis.
When suffering from two conditions, or co-occurring disorders, patients who receive a dual diagnosis will receive treatment for both conditions.
This is necessary to not only ensure optimal health but sustain long-term recovery.
5. Alcohol-Specific Deaths have Increased 70% Over 20 Years in the UK
According to research from the UK Parliament, alcohol-specific deaths have increased by 70% from 2002 to 2022.
While 5,915 people died due to alcohol-specific conditions in 2002, this figure rose to 10,048 in 2022.
More specifically, the most significant rise took place since 2019, where 7,565 alcohol-specific deaths were recorded.
From 2019 to 2020, there was an increase of 18% and 19% for men and women.
Among these figures, alcohol-specific deaths were more prevalent among men, with men accounting for around two-thirds of these deaths.
6. Around 30% of Those Addicted to Alcohol May Suffer from Alcohol-Related Brain Damage
Studies from the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggest that around 30% of those who are addicted to alcohol may be suffering from Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD).
ARBD has a range of psychological effects such as decreased memorisation, coordination, processing information, and so on.
While it typically affects those addicted people who are 50 years old or older, it’s possible to suffer from ARBD if you’re a younger addicted person.
7. Alcohol Now Contributes to Over 40-50% of Liver Disease Deaths in the UK and US
In 2022, it was recorded that 10,593 people died due to Liver Disease in England.
While figures vary, it is estimated that around 5,776 of these deaths were due to Alcohol Related Liver Disease (ARLD). This is a 61% increase in ARLD deaths over the past 20 years in England.
Similarly in the US, studies found that 44.5% of liver disease deaths were alcohol-related. The same study found that 50.3% of liver cirrhosis (liver scarring) deaths were alcohol-related.
8. 4 million Alcohol-Related Crime in the UK
It’s no surprise that alcohol consumption leads to an increase in antisocial behaviour and crime.
According to the Institute of Alcohol Studies, alcohol is associated with over 4,000,000 crimes in the UK each year.
Of this figure, around 500,000 are violent crimes. 39% of victims of violent crimes believed their offenders to be under the influence of alcohol.
8. The Average Drinker Spends £62,899 on Alcohol in Their Lifetime
Many people are turning towards sobriety – or drinking in moderation – simply because of the rise in cost of living.
When assessing the measures that you can take to minimise your weekly expenditure, abstaining from or reducing alcohol consumption is often the most common solution that people think of.
According to Alcohol Change UK, the average drinker spends a whopping £62,899 on alcohol in their lifetime.
9. At Least 18% of Traffic Accident Fatalities Are Alcohol-Related
A UK Government Report discovered that of all traffic accident fatalities in the UK in 2022, 18% involved a driver who was over the alcohol limit.
This figure does not take into account how many non-fatal traffic accidents are alcohol-related.
Don’t Suffer in Silence – Seek Help Today
Alcohol Use Disorder is not only a personal challenge but a public health crisis that affects individuals, families, and communities across every demographic.
From the staggering rise in hospital admissions and alcohol-related deaths to the financial, social, and emotional toll, the consequences of unchecked alcohol misuse are undeniable.
However, the most surprising statistic of all is that most who are suffering don’t seek the treatment that they desperately need.
Whether you are struggling due to the stigmatisation of addiction, or feelings of shame, or a lack of support, neglecting your needs will only worsen the symptoms.
It’s important to recognise that addiction affects millions worldwide, and that you’re not alone.
From public healthcare to community-based support groups that are led by formerly addicted people, there are many ways that you can seek help and build a support network:
- Speak to your General Practice: Your GP can offer support and information with complete discretion, helping you understand the necessary steps to take.
- Consider private addiction treatment centres in London: If you require swift admission and have the money to spend on private treatment, consider reaching out to a residential rehab facility.
- Join a support group: Nonprofit organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART Recovery not only offer a wealth of support and resources, but they’ll act as your support network throughout your recovery.
- Confide in others: It’s important that you’re able to externalise these feelings with loved ones who you trust. From being a shoulder to cry on to creating a more hospitable environment for your recovery, friends and family can have a profound influence on your journey to sobriety.