Many adults are drinking more since the coronavirus pandemic began, data shows. 

The college estimates that in June, more than 8.4m people in England were drinking at higher-risk levels, up from 4.8m in February. 

It says deep cuts made to addiction services could mean patients will miss out on life-saving care.

• 'I became alcoholic during lockdown'
• 'Tackle harmful lockdown drinking'

The rise in risky drinking comes at a time when more people addicted to opiates are seeking help from addiction services, says the college, referring to National Drug Treatment Monitoring System statistics showing 3,459 new adult cases in April - up 20% from 2,947 in the same month the previous year. 

• Check how much you are drinking

Guidelines advise people drink no more than 14 units of alcohol (equivalent to six large glasses of wine or six pints of beer) a week, spreading consumption over three days or more.

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