Kicking alcohol can kill you: See a doctor

The annual number of patients treated for alcoholism at the facility has increased by a factor of five over the past decade, he said.

In China, nearly 7 percent of men and around 0.2 percent of women aged 15 and older suffer from alcohol abuse, according to the World Health Organization in 2011. It kills 3.3 million people each year worldwide.

Alcohol also increases the risk of developing more than 200 diseases, including some cancers and mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Treatment for alcohol withdrawal at a hospital usually lasts two or three weeks.

A man surnamed Ma, who has suffered from alcoholism, said it's easy to relapse. "Lifelong interventions are needed to keep sober," Ma said.

He has participated in Alcoholics Anonymous, which was brought in to China in 2000 and now has around 3,000 members. Worldwide, AA has about 2 million members.

The program uses peer support through regular group sharing in meetings and online. Participants share their personal stories of suffering with alcoholism and encourage others.

Ma had a 32-year drinking history that began at age 16. After undergoing treatment at Anding hospital, he joined AA and has been sober for 16 years.

"I used to have delusions and was rushed to emergency treatment several times," he said.

AA has provided relief. "We share experiences and give each other hope to overcome the dependence," he said. "It's complementary to professional treatment."

Over the years, the number of females in the AA program has increased substantially, and they now account for about 20 percent of the members, Ma said.