An almost 17 per cent increase in the number of people returning for treatment over a five-year period reflects a growth in the number of cases of chronic alcohol problems, a new report suggests.
The Health Research Board report Treated problem alcohol use in Ireland: figures for 2012 from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System says more than 40,000 cases were treated for problem alcohol use between 2008 and 2012.
The total number of cases treated increased from 7,940 in 2008 to 8,604 in 2011 and then decreased to 8,336 in 2012.
But the number of previously treated cases grew from 3,606 in the first year of the study to 4,212 in 2012. The number of new cases treated was up by almost 18 per cent from 3,833 to 4,520 in 2011. That dropped to 4,028 the following year.
Two out of three of those presenting for treatment were male and the median age was 40.
The overall incidence of treated problem alcohol use among 15-64 year olds in Ireland rose from 119.7 per 100,000 of population to 141.2 in 2001 before declining to 125.1 in 2012.
Waterford, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Wexford saw the highest incidence of new cases in the five-year period.
All of these counties had more than 224 cases per 100,000 of the 15-64 year old population, the study said.
Incidence was lowest in Clare, Roscommon, Wicklow, Mayo and Meath, where each had fewer than 83 cases per 100,000.
Incomplete reporting, however, meant that some counties’ figures understated the number of cases presenting for treatment.
Author Dr Suzi Lyons of the Health Research Board said this could lead to inaccurate assessment in terms of need for services in a particular area.
One in five of those treated were using other drugs along with alcohol.
Source: Elaine Edwards, Irish Times, 01/04/14
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