Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) has released a new video as part of their ‘Explained’ series titled ‘The Impact of Alcohol on our Healthcare Services: Explained,’ highlighting the severe strain alcohol-related conditions place on England’s healthcare system. With alcohol now the leading cause of premature death and ill-health for people aged 15 to 49, and alcohol-related deaths at record highs, the video underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained investment in alcohol treatment services. Experts including Professor Julia Sinclair, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, and Dr Dominique Florin emphasize that despite the clear evidence that quality treatment saves lives and is cost-effective, chronic underfunding and fragmented services continue to undermine efforts to reduce alcohol harm.

The video explores how reforms to healthcare services, particularly those introduced by the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, have exacerbated the situation by moving addiction services out of the NHS and into local authorities with limited budgets. As a result, many people with alcohol dependence are left without adequate support, leading to preventable hospital admissions and significant financial strain on the NHS. Alcohol Care Teams and Assertive Outreach programs have shown promising results, but their impact is limited by inconsistent funding and lack of integration with community services. The IAS calls for a national alcohol strategy to ensure sustained funding, universal screening, and integrated care pathways.

This call to action is especially relevant as the Labour government seeks to rebuild Britain. IAS stresses that addressing alcohol-related harms must be a priority, with investments in treatment services, early detection programs, and comprehensive care models. Without such measures, the burden on the NHS will continue to grow, and countless lives will be lost unnecessarily.

Find more from IAS (UK; February 2025)