The NHS information centre revealed that the region tops the English league for prescriptions issued for alcohol-related diseases such as liver and mental disorders – 515 prescriptions per 100,000 population, up 8% on the previous year.
The north west total, which includes Merseyside, compares with 410 in second-ranker north east, 130 in London and a national average of 290.
Nearly two out of three were male patients.
The charity Alcohol Concern predicted that by 2015, if admissions continue to grow at the same rate, the total will hit 1.5m, costing the NHS £3.7bn a year.NHS information centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “Our report highlights the importance of policy-makers and health professionals recognising the scale of alcohol misuse and tackling it.
Health minister Anne Milton said: “These statistics show that the old ways have not always yielded the necessary results.
“We are already taking action to tackle problem drinking, including plans to stop supermarkets selling below-cost alcohol and working to introduce a tougher licensing regime.”
The government will publish a new alcohol strategy later this year.
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