2 February 2020

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows there has been an increase in alcohol-specific death registrations in England and Wales during the first nine months of 2020.

In the first three quarters of 2020 England and Wales, the alcohol-specific death rate reached its highest peak since the data time series by the National Statistics office began in 2001.

Data for England and Wales show there were 5,460 deaths related to alcohol-specific causes registered in the first three quarters of 2020 (Jan to Sept). This was a 16.4% increase compared with the same nine-month period in 2019.

Andrew Misell, Director of Alcohol Change in Wales, said: "As the provisional data from The Office for National Statistics shows there has been a stark increase in alcohol-specific death registrations in England and Wales during the first nine months of 2020, compared with the same time period in 2019.

“There's more work to be done to understand why death rates have increased so significantly. One factor may be that since the pandemic began those already drinking heavily are most likely to have been drinking more. It might also be that some who need help with their drinking, and with alcohol-related conditions, are not seeking it as a result of COVID-19.”

In Wales, alcohol related deaths rose to 15.7 per 100,000 of population in the first quarter of 2020, up from 12.6 during the equivalent period the year before.

Of 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people in England and Wales there were 1,810 deaths registered in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2020 and it remained at this level in both Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 1,811 deaths registered and Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 1,839 deaths registered.

When comparing the same quarter across the years, the rate in Quarter 1 2020 before the pandemic began was statistically similar to rates in previous years, however, rates in Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 2020 were statistically significantly higher than in any other year back to 2001.

Is the rise in alcohol related deaths due to the pandemic?

Ben Humberstone, deputy director of Health Analysis and Life Events at the ONS stated that it will take time before the impact the pandemic has had on alcohol-specific deaths is fully understood.

He said: “Today’s data shows that in the first three quarters of 2020, alcohol-specific deaths in England and Wales reached the highest level since the beginning of our data series, with April to September, during and after the first lockdown, seeing higher rates compared to the same period in previous years.

“The reasons for this are complex and it will take time before the impact the pandemic has had on alcohol-specific deaths is fully understood."

What is the most common alcohol- specific death?

The ONS definition of alcohol-specific deaths includes only those health conditions where each death is a direct consequence of alcohol misuse.

The most common alcohol-specific deaths were alcoholic liver disease, mental and behavioural disorders as a result of the use of alcohol and accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol.

Previous research by the Office of National Statistics has highlighted that the highest proportion of alcohol-specific deaths are attributed to alcoholic liver disease.

From January to the end of September in 2020 there were 4,355 alcohol-specific deaths caused by alcoholic liver disease.

During the same nine-month period of 2020, a further 531 deaths were caused by mental and behavioural disorders.

353 deaths were caused by accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol; this is an increase of 15.9% and 10.3% respectively compared with 2019.

Are men more likely to be affected by alcohol-related deaths?

According to the National Office for Statistics, age-standardised alcohol-related death rates are double in males compared with females.

For males, in 2015 the alcohol-related death rate was 19.2 per 100,000 males whereas for females it was 9.7 per 100,000 females.

In 2020 consistent with previous years, rates of male alcohol-specific deaths were twice those of females.

Male deaths rates were ranging between 17.3 and 17.8 deaths per 100,000 and females rates ranging between 8.0 and 8.6 deaths per 100,000 females.

Has our alcohol consumption increased since the Coronavirus pandemic began?

A psychology student from Swansea University who wished to remain anonymous said that their alcohol consumption has increased since the Coronavirus pandemic began as they are spending much more time at home.

She said: “At the moment I am not able to go back to university because of the current Coronavirus restrictions meaning I have no socialising with any of my uni friends. We all connect over zoom and play drinking games and quizzes that involve consuming alcohol.

“As a new uni student, part of the experience is going out drinking with your flatmates and friends and enjoying fresher’s but lockdown has cancelled all that so we’ve all turned to drinking over zoom.

“I’d normally go out on three nights out a week but now I am drinking almost every day. I guess part of it is down to boredom as well. University students like myself and others in general have no socialisation with anyone other than our household. There isn’t much to do at the moment so, I don’t think I’m the only one who may be turning to a few more drinks during this lock down, especially since the closure of pubs.”

Andrew Misell from Alcohol Change said: If you feel you might benefit from some support with your drinking, the good news is that treatment services across the country are still open and available and there are lots of great options online or over the phone too. As a first step, speak to your GP or find out more about the support options available from Alcohol Change UK’s website.”