HEALTH experts have warned of a ticking timebomb after Brentwood was shown to have one of the county's highest increases in mortality rates from liver disease.
Brentwood had a rise of 7.81 per 100,000 although Colchester had the highest in Essex with 9.06 deaths.
Castle Point at 3.08 deaths had the lowest mortality rates in 2007/09.
There has been a marginal increase in mortality rates for people under 75 from liver disease since 2004/06 across most of Essex.
An Essex Public Health spokesman said: "Many people think that it is only binge drinkers and dependent drinkers who are at risk from alcohol-related harm, however, regular 'social drinking' can also put health at risk."
For a woman, having a large glass (250ml) of 12 per cent wine (or three units) every day, or a man drinking two pints of 4 per cent lager (or 4.6 units), can push you above the recommended guidelines.
"The Essex Drug and Alcohol Partnership (EDAP) is committed to raising awareness of alcohol-related harm and are supporting the forthcoming Alcohol Awareness Week.
"One way of keeping consumption down is to alternate alcohol with soft drinks. It is also recommended that people have one or two alcohol-free days a week."