Regional statistics show there were 19,170 NHS hospital admissions linked to drinking or alcohol disease in 2006-07 - the fourth-highest total in the country.

Today's analysis, by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care, also revealed 29 per cent of the region's men and 23 per cent of women admitted binge drinking.

When surveyed in 2006, 69 per cent of Yorkshire respondents said they had consumed alcohol the week before, with 17 per cent admitting they had drunk on at least five days of the week.

Forty-four per cent had drunk more than the Government's recommended alcohol unit allowance on at least one day the week before.

Only London, the North West and the West Midlands had more cases of alcohol-related problems than the Yorkshire region in 2006-07.

Nationally, the number of admissions has more than doubled in 12 years, from 93,459 in 1995-96 to 207,788 in 2006-07.

Nine per cent of these cases involved youngsters under the age of 18.

A breakdown of the national picture showed there were 57,142 NHS hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis specifically related to alcohol in 2006/07, up 52 per cent since 1995/96.

More than two-thirds (69%) involved men, with the most common reason for admission, accounting for 57,142 cases, mental and behavioural disorders due to drinking.

The second most common reason was alcoholic liver disease.
Full story and analysis in Friday's Yorkshire Post.

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