Around 250,000 people in Ireland are alcoholics yet just a fifth are receiving treatment, it was claimed today.
More than a third of all drinkers binge with the cost of tackling alcohol-related problems soaring to over €900 million a year, according to the country’s leading mental health hospital.
As St Patrick’s University Hospital unveiled its new addiction and mental health centre, doctors warned the need for vital services was increasing with the recession.
Dr Conor Farren, Consultant Psychiatrist at St Patrick’s, said the downside to years of economic boom was now becoming evident.
“It is only now, in the post boom period, that we are recognising some of the negative consequences of the boom,” Dr Farren said.
“It is vital that Ireland has centres of excellence for treatment of alcohol dependence, and that treatment, training and research dovetail into a coherent programme in those centres.”
St Patrick’s University’s new centre, the Temple Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, will see addiction services provided in the community via clinics and when necessary through inpatient services at the hospital.
According to St Patrick’s, addiction is a growing problem here and it is estimated that 250,000 people have an alcohol abuse problem of whom only 20 per cent are engaged in any form of treatment. The direct cost of alcohol related health problems is €960 million per year with the indirect cost much higher.
Women’s consumption of alcohol is also increasing. Figures show 50 per cent of Irish women between the ages of 15-24 are regular drinkers compared with an EU average of 19 per cent.
Irish people spend more on drink than any other country in the world — about €2000
a year per adult. We are the third highest consumers of alcohol in the EU, about 40 per cent above the EU average.
And around 38 per cent of drinkers binge drink, while the EU average is just 10 per cent.
Paul Gilligan, St Patrick’s chief executive, said the new centre and enhanced services was evidence of what can be done to tackle addiction problems.
“The hospital is confident it will excel as a centre for treatment, training and research,” he said.
The centre will be openedlater this morning by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
PA