Posted on: 14 May, 2026

This week, the Office for National Statistics released the latest figures for alcohol-specific deaths, which covers 2024. The UK recorded 9,809 alcohol-specific deaths in 2024, the first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This is down from the record 10,473 deaths in 2023 and marks a 6.3% decrease. The rate of 14.8 deaths per 100,000 is also the lowest it has been since 2020. 

This marks a shift in the correct direction following the trend of increased drinking which was linked to lockdowns and shifting habits related to alcohol consumption. Changes included additional drinking at home, potentially earlier drinking, the pouring of larger drinks (i.e. not using a measure such as those found in pubs and bars) and these changes have persisted for many years since lockdowns ended. 

Despite the improvement, alcohol deaths remain substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels, and we recommend caution in celebrating this decrease. For example, in 2022 deaths were still about one-third higher than in 2019, demonstrating more must be done to tackle alcohol related harm. 

The figures show that Scotland (20.9%) and Northern Ireland (21.4%) remain the regions with the highest alcohol–specific death rates across the UK. Within England, the Northeast had the highest rate, and London had the lowest rate. The regional breakdown demonstrates a correlation between areas with high levels of deprivation, lower employment and less opportunity for prosperity. It also suggests that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to suffer harm and fatality linked to alcohol. 

Men remained significantly more likely to die from alcohol-specific causes with men around twice as likely to die from alcohol than women. The rate declined among people aged 25-79 but rose among those over the age of 80. Experts believe this may be linked to the cumulative harm that alcohol consumption causes over time. 

The main cause for alcohol-specific deaths is linked to conditions such as alcoholic liver disease and other diseases caused directly by the over-consumption of alcohol. 

We strongly encourage those who have concerns about their alcohol consumption to engage in treatment earlier, whether they wish to discuss, reduce or abstain from alcohol. Our services do not judge or dictate which pathway an individual might wish to choose.  

Our role is to guide, encourage and support people towards making informed choices. Cranstoun wants to attract people who use alcohol in excess to our services and provide them with support, before the harms of alcohol become so severe as to seriously impact their quality of life or worse. 

Policy solutions include minimum unit pricing in England, which has shown some positive impacts in Scotland and Wales. In line with Alcohol Change UK, Cranstoun advocates for stronger restrictions on the marketing and advertising of alcohol products, better access to treatment and clearer health warnings on alcohol products. 

Lastly, we recommend a nationwide alcohol awareness campaign which highlights the harms of alcohol, whilst de-stigmatising access to treatment. Harm can be significantly reduced with more people engaging with treatment programmes earlier, before significant and potentially irreversible damage has been caused by high alcohol consumption. 

Our deepest thoughts are with all of those who have lost someone to an alcohol death and Cranstoun believes the tragic level of suffering and fatality must be addressed through more robust policies around alcohol.