Alcohol and drugs are used in combination by many drug users. Ethanol, which is in alcoholic beverages, has been consumed by people since the beginning of time. The consumption of large doses of alcohol causes intoxication, which may lead to a hangover as its effects wear off. Depending upon the dose and the regularity of its consumption, ethanol can cause acute respiratory failure or death. Back to all training on drugs »
In England, in 2009, 69 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women (aged 16 and over) reported drinking an alcoholic drink on at least one day in the week prior to interview. 10 per cent of men and 6 per cent of women reported drinking on every day in the previous week.
In 2010, there were 160,181 prescription items for drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependency prescribed in primary care settings or NHS hospitals and dispensed in the community.
In 2009/10, there were 1,057,000 alcohol related admissions to hospital in the UK. This is an increase of 12% on the 2008/09 figure (945,500) and more than twice as many as in 2002/03 (510,800).
