Alcohol-Related Deaths Reach Record High: The Urgent Need for a Smarter Approach

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed a stark reality—alcohol-related deaths in the UK have reached their highest recorded level. In 2023, 10,473 alcohol-specific fatalities were registered, reflecting a nearly 40% increase since 2019. While this crisis continues to escalate, solutions remain underfunded, and access to effective, evidence-based treatment remains inconsistent.

At Rethink Drink, we believe it’s time for a radical shift in how alcohol dependence is approached, moving beyond outdated models of treatment and embracing methods that are proven to work—methods like The Sinclair Method (TSM).

A Public Health Emergency

The ONS figures highlight that men are dying at twice the rate of women, with the North East of England experiencing the highest death rate (25.7 per 100,000 people). While the overall rate of alcohol-specific deaths saw a minor decline from 16.6 per 100,000 in 2022 to 15.9 in 2023, the numbers remain unacceptably high.

"The numbers don’t lie—alcohol is killing thousands every year, and yet we continue to rely on outdated approaches that demand total abstinence," says Matt Brindley, co-founder of Rethink Drink. "We need to offer options that fit real people’s lives. The Sinclair Method has been scientifically proven to reduce alcohol consumption safely and sustainably. Why isn’t it more widely available?"

The Devastating Toll

In the UK alone, based on 2023 figures, 28 people die every single day from alcohol-specific causes—deaths directly linked to alcohol, such as alcoholic liver disease. That’s 196 lives lost every week, 56 deaths over the weekend alone. Yet, this staggering figure doesn’t even include alcohol-related deaths such as drink-driving, suicides, cancers, accidental deaths, or violence.

"This is the pandemic no one is talking about," Brindley continues. "What’s crazy to note is that these numbers don’t account for the wider devastation alcohol causes in society."

If we apply The Sinclair Method’s clinically trialled 78% success rate, a staggering 22 out of the 28 people expected to die tomorrow could be saved. That’s over 8,000 lives saved per year—8,000 families spared the pain of losing a loved one—all by changing the way we approach and treat alcohol dependence.

"Times change. Science, technology, and medicine have all moved forward," Brindley adds. "It’s time we changed the script on how we support those struggling with alcohol to help the majority."

A Smarter Approach to Alcohol Treatment

The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a medically backed approach that uses naltrexone or nalmefene to gradually reduce alcohol consumption by rewiring the brain’s reward system. Unlike traditional recovery programs that require immediate abstinence—an approach that doesn’t work for many people—TSM allows individuals to continue drinking while the medication gradually breaks the addiction cycle.

"People struggling with alcohol need choices, not ultimatums," says Bruce Rose, co-founder of Rethink Drink. "The fact that alcohol-related deaths are at an all-time high while TSM remains underutilised is frustrating. We need to make evidence-based treatment accessible rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all recovery model."

The Cost of Inaction

Research has shown that early intervention and medically supported harm reduction strategies can significantly reduce alcohol-related deaths. Yet, many medical professionals remain unaware of TSM, and public funding remains disproportionately allocated to abstinence-only programs.

"Every year, more lives are lost while we continue to sideline an approach that could help thousands," says Steve Roe, TSM Coach of the Year 2025 and Rethink Drink team member. "We have the science, we have the evidence—what we need now is action. The longer we delay offering real choices, the more families will suffer unnecessary loss."

Time for Change

The ONS report underscores the urgency of tackling alcohol-related harm with modern, research-backed solutions. We at Rethink Drink are committed to advocating for change, ensuring that everyone struggling with alcohol dependency has access to the right information, support, and medical treatment.

The rising death toll cannot be ignored any longer. It’s time for the conversation around alcohol treatment to change. It’s time to rethink how we approach drinking.