According to a new study Britain now has experienced the sharpest increase in death rates from liver cirrhosis in western Europe; and that not so jolly news comes just days after some of the heaviest drinking of the year.
It seems that the number of Britons dying from cirrhosis of the liver directly linked to heavy drinking is increasing at a much faster rate than in any other European country.
The researchers are calling for action from the government and say that in the 1950s, the UK had the lowest death rates of cirrhosis in western Europe, but the mortality rate for men has now increased five times in England and Wales, and six times in Scotland.
Apparently that increase has been accelerating decade by decade.
It appears that an analysis of European cirrhosis mortality rates from 1950 to 2002 shows the number of deaths increased in Britain while it fell in other European countries.
The survey used data from the World Health Organisation Mortality Database.
The researchers place the blame on increases in consumption, particularly that of wine and spirits.
Of particular concern it seems mortality in women increased by 46 percent in Scotland and 44 percent in England and Wales.
Figures show that as many as 22,000 people a year are killed by excessive drinking yet only one in 10 problem drinkers currently receives help.
The report by Leon and Jim McCambridge of London's King's College showed Austria had the highest cirrhosis mortality rate for both men and women.
The data for Scotland, England and Wales was compared against 12 European countries and whilst some still had high levels, most saw a decrease of between 20 to 30 percent from the early 1970s.
The researchers believe that the current alcohol policies in Britain need to be re-assessed and say the situation in Scotland is of particular concern.