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Alcoholism in Germany rises by a third

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Alcoholism in Germany rises by a third
1.8 million people are classed as alcoholics in Germany. Photo: DPA

The number of alcoholics in Germany has increased by more than one third to almost two million, with under-25s being particularly affected, according to a study on Thursday.

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Research from Munich health research institute IFT released on Thursday showed 1.8 million people in Germany were alcoholics – up by 36 percent from 1.3 million in 2006.

A further 1.6 million drink a lot although are not addicted. In total 7.4 million people drink more than the recommended amount.

The study also looked into smoking addiction and found 5.6 million Germans were addicted to tobacco and 319,000 were dependent on illegal drugs.

“The high prevalence of mental disorders caused by alcohol and tobacco makes the urgency of implementing effective preventive measures clear," according to the study.

Harald Terpe, Green Party spokesman for addiction and drug policy, called on Health Minister Hermann Gröhe to “devote more energy than his predecessors to addiction prevention and therapy.”

"Behind these numbers are numerous family tragedies,” Terpe added.

The Rheinische Post said the report had been with the health ministry since the autumn. 

READ MORE: Give jobs to dry alcoholics, says charity

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