Alcohol deaths in Bristol highest since records began, new data suggests

The number of alcohol-related deaths in Bristol are the highest since records began, according to new data from Public Health England.

An addiction treatment organisation has analysed the figures, which reveal that 197 people died last year as a result of direct alcohol abuse.

This number has risen year on year since 2016.

People are now being warned of the dangers of binge drinking, as the festive season is well underway.

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Public Health England has also revealed more people in Bristol died from alcohol-related conditions in 2018 than any previous year, since records began.

The new figures equate to 56.8 alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 people in Bristol - higher than the the 2018 average for the whole of the UK which was 46.5 per 100,000.

Addiction treatment group UKAT is urging people to stay safe this Christmas season and drink responsibly.

According to the company, binge-drinking is defined as:

• Men consuming five or more drinks within around two hours.

• Women consuming four or more drinks within around two hours.

For advice or support on this issue, you can go to the Drink Aware website.