A SHOCKING culture of alcohol abuse has been unveiled in Huddersfield.
More than 20,000 of the town's 140,000 adult drinkers are boozing more than they should each week.
The recommended maximum weekly consumption for men is 21 units and 14 for women.
But thousands continue to exceed the limits, posing serious risks to their health.
Mike Hughes, assistant director of public health for Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield primary care trusts, said: "Our main concern is that alcohol contributes to liver disease, cancer, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke especially where there is regular excessive alcohol use over a long period of time.
"It is responsible for 22,000 premature deaths in the UK - about 130 in Kirklees alone.
"But it is about people being conscious about the risks they are taking."
He estimated between 4,000 and 8,000 young people in Huddersfield were suffering as a result of their parents' alcohol problems.
And about 2,000 incidents of domestic violence in the town were also alcohol-fuelled.
He said: "There are some useful early warning signs for people to watch out for.
"Needing to drink more for the same effect, drinking in the morning and feeling uncomfortable about how much you drink are some of them.
"Starting to lie or concealing how much you are drink are also worrying signs."
He encouraged anyone worried about their alcohol use to first try to control their consumption and then seek professional advice through their GP practice.
* Recommended consumption for men = 3 to 4 units a day (21 units a week)
* Male binge drinker = 9 units a day.
* Recommended consumption for women = 2 to 3 units a day (14 units a week)
* Female binge drinker = 6 units a day.
* 1 unit = half a pint of beer or a single measure of spirits.
* 2 units = A pint or a large 175ml glass of wine.
