Liverpool’s New Alcohol Strategy: Our Chance to Reduce Harm
Dangerous drinking is on the rise in the UK.
New analysis by the Liberal Democrats suggests alcohol-related deaths could claim 20,000 lives a year over the next decade.
Many of those deaths are likely to occur in cities like Liverpool, where hospital admissions and mortality rates are well above the national average. Recent figures show Liverpool had over 4,450 alcohol-specific hospital admissions and 97 deaths in 2022.
However, the development of a new Alcohol Strategy, led by Liverpool City Council, is bringing together stakeholders from organisations such as the NHS, Merseyside Police, YMCA Together, and universities, to create a new city-wide approach to responding to alcohol harm.
This article explores the scale of the problem in Liverpool and sets out how we can lead the way in tackling the devastating effects of dangerous drinking.
The Scale of Liverpool’s Alcohol Problem
Alcohol-related issues are now the leading cause of death and illness among 15–49-year-olds in Liverpool. The wider social effects are equally alarming. In 2022/23, the city saw more than 8,000 alcohol-related crimes, while 594 children’s social care referrals and assessments were linked to parental alcohol use.
As YMCA Together’s Director of Specialist Services, Katie Taylor, points out, these harms disproportionately affect families, deprived communities, and those with complex needs.
“If you’re already impacted by poverty or poor mental health, you’re much more likely to be affected by problematic alcohol use,” said Katie.
While binge drinking and party culture dominate the headlines, YMCA Together describes a more complex reality.
“Often, by the time we see people, they’re not drinking for pleasure. They’re drinking because they have a dependence,” said Katie.
“Alcohol massively exacerbates the needs of the people we work alongside, compounding problems for those experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges.”
YMCA Together has observed a rise in dangerous drinking in those aged mid-30s and upwards. Many in this group face long-term physical health problems such as hypertension and fatty liver disease.
“This age group still likes to have a bottle of wine to relax. While it is considered socially acceptable to relax and enjoy yourself with a drink, the problem is that drinking to excess is often seen as the done thing,” Katie added.
Liverpool’s New Alcohol Strategy
In response to the city’s alcohol crisis, Liverpool City Council and key partners, including YMCA Together, are developing a new Alcohol Strategy, designed around six pillars:
- Prevention and Early Intervention
- Treatment and Recovery
- Community Safety
- Protecting Children and Families
- Licensing Regulation
- Advocacy for National Policies
So far, stakeholder input includes analysing local data on alcohol-related harms and defining priorities. A public consultation on the strategy is expected in autumn 2025, ahead of its planned launch in January 2026.
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“If we don’t act now, the future looks deeply concerning. According to our State of Health in the City report, up to 38,000 more people could be living with major illness by 2040 many of which will be worsened by alcohol misuse.
“Through this strategy, we aim to break that trend by building a healthier, fairer Liverpool where the impact of alcohol harm is reduced, and people can live longer, healthier lives, supported by their communities.”
WATCH: Matt Ashton on Liverpool’s Alcohol Strategy
Supporting Person-Centred Pathways
YMCA Together plays a pivotal role in the city’s support services. We work closely with Change Grow Live (CGL) and other partners across the River pathway, which provides drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services within our communities.
As part of the pathway, YMCA Together’s services include:
- Prehab – for those contemplating change
- RISE – residential rehabilitation
- Step Down – ongoing supported living in partnership with New Start
- Women’s Harm Reduction in partnership with New Start
“Our pathway is all about the person,” said Katie. “We work with partners like Change Grow Live, who deliver the River service in Liverpool, to suit individual needs.”
Many of those we support also face poverty, mental health challenges, and housing instability. Our CAT-informed treatment model (Cognitive Analytic Therapy) helps people explore underlying patterns. Rather than labelling someone as uncooperative or resistant, we train our staff to work with the person to consider their behaviours.
“CAT allows us to pause and work with the person. It takes the space to look at what works for you, what matters to you, and explores behaviours which might be unhelpful that you’ve developed over time.”
Barriers to Recovery
Despite the city’s ambition, significant barriers still prevent many people from accessing or sustaining recovery.
Unstable funding is one of the biggest hurdles.
“National funding hasn’t kept up. For example, some of our services are grant-funded. It’s hard to deliver services when they’re so time-limited,” said Katie.
Limited access to long-term support, a reduction in inpatient detox beds over the last ten years, and the risk of falling through service gaps make it harder for people to engage with treatment.
Shame and stigma can stop individuals from seeking help, especially those with families.
“People who drink in a dependent pattern are still seen by society as something that’s the person’s responsibility. But sometimes you don’t know you’ve got a problem until it becomes a problem,” said Katie.
There’s also the fear of reaching out.
“It’s brave to take that first step into recovery. People worry. If I ask for help, what happens to my kids? My relationships? My job?”
There’s no short-term fix to these problems. Recovery takes trust, time, and well-funded services that respond to the realities of people’s lives.
Looking ahead
YMCA Together sees people when harm has become significant, putting us in a unique position to give insight into alcohol-related issues from a community perspective.
Our role in Liverpool’s Alcohol Strategy consultation is to share our views on what we’ve seen working in the city and what doesn’t work. We want to make sure the people we work alongside have a voice in the initiative to help inform a strategy that reduces stigma, simplifies access to recovery pathways, and informs national policy.
“We want to be part of creating something that really meets the needs of the city. Something bespoke to Liverpool that doesn’t work in a one-size-fits-all way,” said Katie.
“Matt Ashton’s lead on this work will help us look at the whole public health approach where alcohol awareness becomes part of a comprehensive health strategy.”
While Liverpool isn’t the only city experiencing the effects of alcohol harm, particularly in the North, we have a real chance to be the first to change it.
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Need support?
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, contact River – Liverpool Drug and Alcohol Support Services.
You can call YMCA Together’s rehab service on 0151 474 0685 and find information about your local service here.
If you’re a friend or family member impacted by a loved one’s alcohol issues, you can find help and support here.