Increased alcohol drinking during Covid could lead to 25,000 extra deaths over the coming decades, researchers have warned - and leading North East health figures warn alcohol abuse during the pandemic is likely to have hit our region hardest.
The shocking figures come from a new study commissioned by NHS England from the University of Sheffield, while another report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies has found that if alcohol consumption does not return to 2019 levels, almost 150,000 more people could develop disease.
Senior doctors have also highlighted that - with the North East already seeing the highest rates of alcohol-related disease - the region would be heavily-impacted. Sue Taylor from health campaign group Balance said this meant "we can't afford to ignore the problem any longer".
