Alcohol addiction is a growing and serious issue, affecting individuals and communities across the UK.
Since it is heavily stigmatised, particularly within the British Asian communities, it becomes difficult for those struggling to seek help. The silence around it therefore perpetuates harmful misconceptions and prevents meaningful conversations about the problem.
Recent statistics have revealed a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths, underscoring the urgent need for open dialogue, better awareness, and accessible support services.
Alcohol-related deaths in the UK hit a record high for the fourth year in a row, with 10,473 deaths in 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This represents a 4% increase from 2022 and a 38% rise since 2019.
While the overall death rate slightly dropped to 15.9 per 100,000, men continued to have nearly double the rate of women. The ONS also noted a decline in death rates for those aged 25 to 59 for the first time since 2020.
Experts are calling for measures like minimum unit pricing, health warnings on labels, and stricter advertising regulations to address this growing health crisis.
It's time to break the stigma and address alcohol addiction as the medical and societal issue it truly is.
Addressing alcohol dependency in South Asian communities
Dr Karamdeep Kaur, a Volunteer at NACOA and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, highlights the lasting impact of substance misuse in households, particularly alcohol dependence, which creates an environment where family members adopt coping mechanisms like "don't talk, don't trust, and don’t feel." This often leads to mental health issues, with children in these households at higher risk of neglect, domestic violence, and addiction.
Speaking about the steps that can be taken to address and reverse this concerning trend within the British Asian community, Karamdeep said, “Awareness is key to addressing alcohol-related issues, both physical and mental. Many in the South Asian community hesitate to access existing alcohol support services due to concerns over stigma, a lack of understanding of religion’s role, and limited awareness of addiction. Services often rely too heavily on a medical model, neglecting therapy and cultural sensitivities. Generational and gender differences further complicate matters, as does the absence of government commitment to culturally specific support for BME communities. To improve access, alcohol support services must be developed in collaboration with the community, integrating cultural competence and addressing these unique challenges.”
Dilesh Popat, Turning Point’s diverse communities lead, addresses common misconceptions about alcohol addiction in South Asian communities. He explained, "A major myth is that alcohol addiction is a 'Western problem' that doesn’t affect South Asians, leading to denial and minimisation. Another misconception is that addiction is simply a lack of willpower, ignoring the medical and psychological factors involved. There's also stigma around seeking professional help, with some believing family intervention or religious guidance should suffice. While these are important, specialist addiction services are essential. Lastly, the false belief that South Asian women don't struggle with alcohol addiction only increases shame and isolation. Addiction affects everyone, regardless of gender, background, or status."
Dr Deepak Sirur, spokesperson for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“We’re deeply concerned that deaths related to alcohol remain high and it’s imperative that the Government takes action to address this.
“People can become dependent on alcohol for a variety of reasons and often have complex social and medical needs, including underlying, untreated psychological difficulties, such as unresolved psychological trauma.
“We know from speaking with people from the South Asian diaspora in the UK that they often struggle to trust services with their treatment and information, and services often do not take into consideration the specific needs of individuals within communities who may want help but aren’t reached out to. It’s therefore vital that services work with trusted and credible community leaders to engage with local communities and develop personalised forms of care that are tailored to their needs through meaningful co-production.
“There is a great deal of stigma surrounding alcohol dependence within all communities, including significant pockets of South Asian communities where people can often feel unable to reach out for support in their families and communities. In some cases, it can be regarded more as a moral failing rather than a disorder which can be well managed, and this can prevent people from seeking support. This coupled with the stigmatisation of mental health can lead to people hiding what is happening from others and can make these situations worse. We all have a role to play in tackling this and supporting people to access the help they need. Professionals and commissioners also need to listen to the voices of the communities who have the answers and the solutions if we are to implement them.
“Mental health services are under pressure due to staff shortages and historic underinvestment. It is crucial that funding increases for substance use disorder services continue in order to restore capacity to the frontline.”
Holistic approach to addiction recovery
Mohammed Ashfaq MBE, Managing Director of KIKIT Pathways to Recovery, emphasised the critical role of mental health in the recovery process, and discussed their growth, driven by increased funding that has allowed for an expanded workforce and enhanced services. He said, “Mental health is a vital component of recovery, and services must adopt a holistic approach. In Birmingham, we integrate mental health support into our care plans from the outset by involving all relevant professionals.”
He added, “We've established a dedicated community outreach team that conducts educational workshops in multiple languages, helping to engage more individuals and increase treatment participation. Our prevention and harm reduction initiatives include distributing naloxone to those at risk of drug-related death, particularly within Asian and other vulnerable communities.
“During the Covid-19 lockdown, we operated voluntarily to ensure naloxone reached those in need. With the rise of synthetic drugs and an increase in drug-related deaths, our commitment to educating people about naloxone and its life-saving potential has never been stronger.”
Our prison link workers play a key role in helping individuals transition from prison to treatment, reducing overdose risks. We ensure they have access to naloxone and attend crucial appointments to prevent relapse and lower the chances of re-incarceration.”
Rising alcohol deaths and hidden crisis in communities
Managing Director of BAC-IN, Sohan Sahota said, “Our service is specifically designed to support ethnic minority communities. We offer both face-to-face and home visit support. A key part of our work is raising awareness about the impact of alcohol, not just on the individual, but on the whole family. Based on this, we tailor support for both the individual and their family, addressing their unique needs.”
Speaking about the recent rise of alcohol deaths, Sohan added, “Alcohol-related issues have escalated due to the stress, uncertainty, and isolation brought on by events like the pandemic, lockdowns, and vaccination processes. Many individuals are using alcohol to cope with these pressures, leading to chronic drinking and health problems. Despite this, the statistics on alcohol-related deaths in ethnic minority communities, particularly South Asians, remain unclear. We believe the true number of deaths is much higher, especially as alcohol-related illnesses, like liver disease and heart problems, often go unreported as the primary cause of death.”
“The lack of proper reporting and the difficulty in obtaining accurate data from the government is concerning, as it hides the reality of the problem in South Asian communities. Cheap, easily accessible alcohol and the normalisation of excessive drinking contribute to the issue, but it’s also a symptom of deeper societal issues, such as discontent, hopelessness, and the inability to manage emotions and relationships. The rise of homeworking has further isolated people, making it easier to self-medicate with alcohol as a temporary escape. Ultimately, addiction is a response to an underlying emotional and psychological crisis, pointing to a larger societal issue where people are struggling to find healthy ways to cope with their inner turmoil,” he added.
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Journey from trauma to sobriety
Patient representative at Royal College of Psychiatrists and trauma informed therapy coach, Aunee Bhogaita said, “I was sexually molested as a child by a close family member. I didn't disclose this until I was 13, because I come from a South Asian background and our status is very important in the South Asian community. Because the people are so afraid to speak out or hold people accountable or to even say what happened due to fear of being stigmatised. I even developed anorexia and tried to commit suicide multiple times. Around the age of about 19, I got to a stage where I really didn't want to be part of the British Asian community anymore. It was just so detrimental. I was very vulnerable at that point, and the person that I met was somebody, who wasn't Indian, and I guess he was almost my ticket to escaping. Eventually that turned out to be quite a domestic violent relationship. During that time of being in that relationship, I was ostracised from my family. My circle was very, because of my toxic relationship.”
“I was at the university when I got pregnant with my daughter. And of course, a year into University, I moved back to Leicester. We had our own place. By my third year of University, the relationship had become so bad that I had to actually leave the University just because I couldn't manage it, my children as well as the relationship. Once I'd left University, I had no qualifications, I had no job, I had no family, I didn't have any real friends. With all of these things, I already had un-dealt trauma so I decided to use alcohol as a medicating tool at that point. I had drank alcohol prior to that, but never abused it. But at that point, what started as weekend drinking turned into weekday drinking. I was drinking about two litres of vodka every single day. I was found in the street or park in a drunken state. My mother already suspected that I had a problem. The addiction got really bad. It got to the stage where I was told I had 12 months to live, essentially, because my heart really was not closing very well. My mom was ringing around trying to find me help. Because within the South Asia community it's such a taboo subject, we're not knowledgeable about the services that are out there. Even though we found help for me through treatment as well as rehab and also helped me with my mental problems with techniques like CBT and much more. Then I came out of rehab on the 31 July, 2020 and came back to Leicester. And it's been five years since I've been sober.” she added.
Speaking about opening up about alcohol addiction within South Asian communities, Aunee said, “I believe things are improving, especially as younger generations are more open and knowledgeable about mental health and trauma. Parents today, whether born here or elsewhere, are more aware of these issues. However, a challenge remains with the older generation in South Asian communities. There’s a strong cultural emphasis on respect, and younger generations often avoid correcting or educating elders out of fear of disrespect. This creates a cycle of intergenerational tolerance and trauma, especially for women. For example, my grandmother, who grew up in Africa with roots in Gujarat, was taught to tolerate abuse, which she then passed on to her children, including her daughters.”
