The country is wealthy, has a culture of drinking, has easy access to alcohol and most people have to work less than 20 minutes to be able to afford a beer, said Jürgen Rehm, senior scientist in the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

On Monday a new national guideline was published to help family doctors talk with their patients about alcohol use disorder and problematic drinking. The website Help with Drinking was also launched to help people, their loved ones and doctors better understand problematic drinking and how to reduce or quit alcohol.