The number has jumped almost 30 per cent in five years and the latest figures showed an extra eight patients were taking up hospital beds every day compared with 2008-09.
Alcohol-induced falls, assaults and motor vehicle accidents made up 27 per cent of hospital admissions.
People abusing alcohol, binge drinking and having alcohol-related mental problems made up 46 per cent of admissions.
The Victorian Drug Statistics Handbook 2009-10 published this month showed drunk patients were racking up 112,000 bed days a year.
And the problem was not restricted to inner-city areas, with health centres in rural areas also feeling the pressure.
Thousands of drinkers showed up in Barwon, the Grampians, Gippsland and Hume.
Victorian nurses union boss Lisa Fitzpatrick said hospitals were losing the battle with alcohol, putting at risk the safety of nurses and other patients.
Turning Point researcher Belinda Lloyd said the report showed the problem was not isolated to a particular demographic.
"This isn't just an issue affecting young people, it is affecting the whole community," Dr Lloyd said.
"It is not just people drinking alcohol and going for a swim or driving a car either, people need to know the risks of long-term alcohol use.
"This is costing the whole community a great deal."
The latest figures come after a report tabled by Victoria's Auditor-General found alcohol abuse cost the state $4.3 billion a year.
Acting Auditor-General Peter Frost said the results showed government strategies aimed at curbing alcohol use in the community were failing.
heraldsun.com.au 1 Jul 2012
The whole idea is to have the children of the masses, in the exact state as described in the heading od the article /post.
This is a tactic used by the authorities to subdue the peasants. The English did it in America, giving liquor to the natives, they did the same to the native Australians, the Aborigines, and the same is done to the children of the canon fodder.
This is just one form of controlling the masses.
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