Figures suggest more people are seeking help for alcohol abuse

But the assembly government said the figures were "experimental", and the rise had been expected because of more funding for treatment programmes.

The statistics released by the NHS also indicate a jump in numbers seeking help for cocaine abuse.

Opposition politicians in the assembly described the figures as "appalling".

Last year, 15,415 people were treated for alcohol misuse in Wales, up from 10,899 the year before, according to figures from Health Solutions Wales.

It highlights the folly of cutting detox beds in places like north Wales, as we have seen in recent days Mark Isherwood AM, Conservative

The county with the highest number of those being treated was Merthyr Tydfil, where more than 800 people were seen.

Of those referred for treatment across Wales, 65 were under 12 years old.

The number receiving treatment for cocaine addiction has also increased dramatically in the space of a year by 47%, and treatment for cannabis is up by a quarter, the figures showed.

The two largest categories recorded as the main problem area after alcohol were heroin and cannabis.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT Heroin abusers aged under 30: 53% 63% of females 50% of males Cannabis abusers aged under 30: 72% 73% of males 71% of females Source: NHS Wales

North Wales Conservative AM Mark Isherwood said the figures were "absolutely appalling" and the assembly government's strategy to tackle drug and alcohol abuse was failing.

"Much more needs to be done to help those suffering with drug and alcohol misuse problems, " he said.

"The lives of vulnerable people across Wales are being wrecked by drug and alcohol abuse.

"It highlights the folly of cutting detox beds in places like north Wales, as we have seen in recent days.

"Drug and alcohol abusers need treatment, training, housing and an introduction to the workplace.

'Reduce harm'

But a Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said it expected the rise in figures because it substantially increased the money available for treating substance misusers in Wales over recent years.

That figure was up 660% over the past four years, said the spokesman, which demonstrated "the success of the current strategy, not its failure".

"Tackling drug and alcohol misuse continues to be a priority with the delivery of a new Welsh strategy being backed by an extra �9.6m over the next three years," said the spokesman.

"This funding will be used to deliver the new strategy, including extra treatment places and other support for substance misusers.

"It will also fund measures to tackle binge drinking and actions to reduce harm to the wider community as a result of substance misuse such as alcohol related anti-social behaviour."

He said this was only the second time these statistics have been released in this way.

He said improvements in both data collection methods and the quality of the data meant the figures published this year should not be compared directly to last year's.