New data published by Public Health England shows that deaths caused by alcohol are higher in the North East than anywhere else in the country.
There were a total of 1,424 alcohol-related deaths in the North East in 2015 which is 22% higher than the national average.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) research also revealed that women in the North East are more likely to die due to alcohol than men.
Graham Frend, a director at Northern Engagement into Recovery From Addiction Foundation, said: “Family and loved ones could step in and help the person experiencing alcohol misuse.
“If we can get the family to understand what the user is going through that could be a huge benefit towards that person’s recovery”.
There were 310 alcohol-related deaths of men in 2015, a rate of 25 per 100,000 men.
This is the second highest rate in the UK, up from 300 deaths and a rate of 24.2 per 100,000 in 2014.