Alcohol is well accessible and socially accepted – but it surely drives many individuals into dependancy. An evaluation by Barmer exhibits how many individuals obtain medical remedy. There are main regional variations.
More than 1.4 million folks in Germany are receiving medical remedy for alcohol dependancy. This emerges from an analysis by the Institute for Health System Research on the Barmer medical health insurance firm. Data from Barmer policyholders who obtained a confirmed analysis of “mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol” in 2023 have been used. The institute extrapolated these numbers to the whole inhabitants, making the research consultant.
The complete quantity in 2023 was barely under the worth decided within the earlier yr (1.5 million). People who didn’t obtain a analysis weren’t included. “The actual number of those affected will be significantly higher,” stated Barmer CEO Christoph Straub. “It is time to put the issue more in the focus of health care.”
According to the figures, greater than two thirds of these affected have been males. The group of 55 to 64 yr olds was additionally mostly affected. In this age group, roughly 293,000 males and 114,000 girls have been recognized with alcohol dependancy in 2023.
More therapies within the east and north
The evaluation exhibits clear regional variations: folks within the north and east of Germany have been additionally disproportionately extra more likely to be affected by alcohol dependancy than in the remainder of the nation. The proportion of the inhabitants recognized with alcohol dependancy was highest in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at 2.61 p.c. The German common was 1.69 p.c.
The proportion of these affected was additionally comparatively excessive in Saxony (2.27 p.c), Saxony-Anhalt (2.21), Brandenburg (2.10) and Thuringia (2.09). This was adopted by town states with 2.02 p.c (Berlin and Bremen) and 1.94 p.c (Hamburg). Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony have been additionally above common with 1.87 and 1.76 p.c respectively.
The lowest proportions have been achieved within the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia (1.51 p.c), Rhineland-Palatinate (1.47), Baden-Württemberg (1.46) and Hesse (1.45). In Saarland (1.64 p.c) and Bavaria (1.58), the proportion of the inhabitants was additionally under the nationwide common.
“The problem is taboo”
“The significant regional differences in alcohol addiction cannot be explained medically alone,” stated Chief Financial Officer Straub. “Social and demographic factors are also likely to play a role given the different values.”
Overall, alcoholism is “a destructive disease with profound consequences for health, psyche, social relationships and professional prospects.” However, the issue is taboo, criticizes Straub. It is made worse by the straightforward availability of alcohol.
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