An occasional drink to unwind after a hard day’s work, or at a social engagement, is one of life’s pleasures which most of us will happily admit to partaking in.

However, as with all things, moderation is the key to enjoying alcohol sensibly and with due regard to one’s health.

Unfortunately, the latest figures showing the number of alcohol-related admissions to hospital show that for many of the Bradford district’s residents, excess is often the order of the day.

Last year more than 11,000 people were admitted to hospital with the primary cause being alcohol, which is the highest figure on a ratio of population anywhere in West Yorkshire.

It is an unwelcome table for Bradford to top, and one with very serious consequences. Alcohol does not just give us a bad head the morning after overindulging; continued heavy drinking causes long-term damage to our bodies and leads to an early grave.

Bradford’s health experts are doing a fine job in spotting problems, referring patients to specialists, and improving awareness and education about the problems that alcohol can cause.

But there is only so much that the health service can do. We all have a responsibility to police ourselves when it comes to behaviour that might cause long-lasting health problems. We have to want to change our behaviour, and the solution often lies within our own hands.

No-one wants to be a party-pooper, but this is a statistic that simply cannot be allowed to keep growing. Alcohol abuse shortens lives, ruins families and leaves the NHS with a very big bill... altogether more serious than a hangover.