Nearly a quarter of all adults are risking their health through hazardous drinking, according to official statistics released today.

The NHS Information Service said it estimates that a third of men and a sixth of women are drinking at a level which puts them at risk of physical or psychological harm. Within that group are "harmful drinkers" – 6% of men and 2% of women who are likely to suffer damage such as liver disease or depression.

The latest figures, which are for 2007, also show a big rise in the numbers of people admitted to hospital for alcohol-related conditions, including injuries from falls or fights. In 2007-08 there were 863,300 admissions linked to drinking, which is a 69% rise since 2002-03 when there were around 510,200.

Deaths linked to drinking are also on the rise. In 2007, in England, there were 6,541 deaths directly related to alcohol, which is an increase of 19% since 2001. Most of the deaths (4,249) were from alcoholic liver disease.

"Today's figures clearly show that alcohol misuse is one of the most serious public health problems facing the UK," said Alcohol Concern chief executive, Don Shenker. "The dramatic increase in admissions caused by alcohol consumption is a warning that unless action is taken, we face an escalating public health crisis and increasing pressure on the doctors and nurses working in our hospitals.

"The rise in deaths directly due to alcohol goes hand in hand with the increase in consumption over recent decades. As alcohol has become more affordable, fuelled by the growth of irresponsible low-cost sales, the population as a whole is drinking more and this is having a massive impact on the nation's health."

The NHS report, called Statistics on Alcohol: England, 2009, is a compilation of figures from many sources. It includes figures for the number of people thought to be dependent on alcohol. It estimates that in 2007, 9% of men and 4% of women showed some signs of dependence. The figures are a slight drop for men – from 11% in 2000 – and unchanged for women.

Drug treatment for alcohol dependence has risen. In England in 2007 there were 134,429 prescription items for drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependency prescribed in primary care or NHS hospitals and dispensed in the community. This is an increase of 31% since 2003, when there were 102,741 prescription items.

Alcohol Concern, however, said not enough was being done to help those who wanted to curb their drinking. "Only 1 in 18 problem drinkers is receiving proper support," said Shenker. "It is vital that the government starts investing more in alcohol treatment to help those with a drink problem to tackle these issues before it's too late."

"These figures show the serious impact of alcohol on our health and the NHS," said Imogen Shillito of the British Liver Trust. "Small improvements in some areas like the numbers of young people drinking are under threat from big increases in women drinking and in older drinkers. The number of people aged 35 to 44 admitted to hospital with alcohol-related problems is double that of 16- to 24-year-olds.

"We're worried the messages about young people and binge drinking are getting through, but leaving older drinkers thinking it doesn't apply to them. Regularly drinking more than the guidelines, regardless of whether it's cheap cider or fine wine, can put your health at risk, at any age."