Britain's healthcare system is bearing an unsustainable burden. The lifestyle of U. K. is costing the NHS £2.7 billion a year, according to a report.

NHS Confederation and Royal College of Physicians’ report said in the last five years the cost to the NHS of excessive drinking has doubled.

This burden calls for improvements where identification and assessment can be done to treat patients with alcohol problems.

Hospitals and ambulance services are bearing the bulk of the financial burden.

Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents NHS managers, said, "With only one in 18 people dependent on alcohol receiving treatment, and wide variation in the types of specialist services available, we know that more needs to be done to help identify and treat patients."

According to a report no other European country drinks more.

Experts state that the burden is likely to increase over the next decade, even if improvements are made in the drinking pattern.