§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many registered alcoholics there are at the present time; and what the increase has been annually since 1970.
§ Sir K. JosephThere is no requirement for alcoholics, whether undergoing treatment or not, to be registered. As the result of a number of surveys it is estimated that there are between 200,000 and 400,000 alcoholics in England and Wales. The number of admissions to psychiatric hospitals and units of patients whose diagnosis on admission was alcoholism or alcoholic psychosis was:
1970 8,708 1971 9,901 1972 10,850 This does not necessarily indicate an increase in alcoholism but may reflect improvements in treatment facilities and an increased awareness of them.