NHS Resources More Strained by Middle-Aged Drinkers Than Teen Ones

A British alcohol charity organization has claimed that middle aged drinkers put more strain on NHS resources compared to teenage drinkers.

According to Alcohol Concern, nearly 454,000 people between 55 and 74 years of age were admitted to hospitals due to alcohol related problems between 2010 and 2010, costing the NHS more than Ģ825 million in costs compared to Ģ63.8 million spent on treating 54,000 people between 16 to 24 years of age.

In total, more than Ģ1,993 million was spent on treating alcohol related inpatients, with males accounting for Ģ1,278 million compared to Ģ715 spent on women. The cost for treating alcohol patients is three times greater than the cost for treating accident and emergency admissions.

"It is the common perception that young people are responsible for the increasing cost of alcohol misuse, but our findings show that in reality this is not the case. It is the middle-aged, and often middle class drinker, regularly drinking above recommended limits, who are actually requiring complex and expensive NHS care", Alcohol Concern chief executive Eric Appleby said.



Source: Medindia