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The charity Alcohol Concern has called for more research into alcohol misuse, in a new report called '100% Proof', writes Clare Jerrom.

More than a million older people are drinking at unsafe levels, the report says, and this represents a 75 per cent increase among women and 31 per cent rise among men in the last 10 years.

The report also points to unsafe drinking among young women aged between 16 and 24, which has more than doubled over the past decade. Young men’s drinking has also increased by over a third.

More than 30,000 early deaths each year are attributed to alcohol misuse, figures in the report show, and around a million children are living with parents who have drink problems.

Yet despite these statistics, the charity claims that not enough is known about the causes and impact of alcohol problems.

Eric Appleby, Alcohol Concern’s chief executive, said: "We know very little, for example, about the reasons why certain groups of people drink much more than others. Nor do we always know the true impact of drinking problems on individuals, families and society as a whole."

While there is some valuable research taking place, it is often on a fragmented basis and "patchy", falling short of the needs of policy makers and planners, he added.

The charity recommends future research concentrates on the impact of alcohol on individuals and various populations, and its influence on crime and the workplace.

The role of prevention and protection from drink problems should be looked at, as well as what works best in terms of treatment.

For a full copy of '100% Proof' click here