Alcohol related deaths in Yorkshire increase by 20%
There are concerns that the figure will keep rising across the region as the cost-of-living (COL) crisis continues
Last updated 16th Dec 2022
Across Yorkshire and the Humber, there has been a 20.1% increase in alcohol related deaths from 2019 to 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Forward Leeds is an organisation that provides support for adults, young people and families needing help with alcohol and drug use in Leeds.
Roger Brearley is the Service Manager said: "A lot of people are dying not necessarily because they're dependant drinkers, they're risk in harmful drinkers, so they've done this all their life lives.
"So people may not realise they have a problem until they received a alcohol related diagnosis, so this is why we need to focus more of early intervention while raising public awareness of alcohol harm."
There is concern that with the COL crisis continuing, this could become another contributing factor in a rise of alcohol related deaths - when those figures come out for 2022.
Asking Mr Brearley if he thinks the COL crisis will have an impact, his response was:
"It's possible, it's an added stress, life is very difficult for a lot of people at the moment and when people are struggling then we know people drink more. We know addiction becomes an issue and we know that people's mental health will obviously deteriorate."
If you have been affected by this article and are based in Leeds, you can contact Forward Leeds for advice and support.
If you're in another part of West Yorkshire, the advice from Forward Leeds is to contact your local alcohol support service.