8% rise in people being treated for problem alcohol use

The Number of People Treated for Problem Alcohol Use Increases by 8%

The number of people treated for problem alcohol use last year increased by 8% to 7,421 cases, according to the latest data from the Health Research Board (HRB).

Key Statistics:

• The average age cases first began drinking was 16.
• The average age of those in treatment was 47.
• Almost half of cases were unemployed.
• One in 13 cases was recorded as homeless.

Alcohol Consumption Patterns:

HRB Senior Researcher Suzi Lyons said that almost six in ten cases consumed alcohol daily.

She said that women seeking treatment for problem alcohol use are typically consuming 15 standard drinks every day and show a preference for spirits, followed by wine.

For men, the figure is 20 standard drinks a day, but they prefer beer, followed by spirits.

Additional Substance Use:

Problem use of more than one substance was reported by 25% of cases, with cocaine being the most common additional drug used alongside alcohol.

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Complexities of Treatment and Recovery

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Philip Boucher-Hayes, Ms Lyons added that two-thirds of cases presenting for treatment are already alcohol dependent by the time they present, which she said makes treatment more complex and the journey to recovery more difficult.

She pointed out that one in four people are also being treated for additional drugs, mainly cocaine, cannabis, and benzodiazepine, which again makes this more complex.

Ms Lyons said that combining alcohol with cocaine can lead to further problems, such as a risk of overdose or liver damage.

Call for Government Action

Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould said he was not surprised by the findings.

He said: “I hold a lot of meetings here with different groups who are working on the ground, and this is what they have been telling us.

“What we really need in the Budget coming up now in October is the Government to finally take this seriously and fund supports for addiction and supports for people in recovery.

“We need a suite of measures and it needs to be backed up with resources.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, the specific target is 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, there is no specific target mentioned in the article.

Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, the specific target is 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Number of people treated for problem alcohol use
• Percentage of cases that are unemployed
• Percentage of cases recorded as homeless
• Percentage of cases consuming alcohol daily
• Average number of standard drinks consumed per day by women seeking treatment
• Average number of standard drinks consumed per day by men seeking treatment
• Percentage of cases reporting problem use of more than one substance
• Percentage of cases reporting cocaine as an additional drug used alongside alcohol

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators