Lots of push-back from different groups today on the increase in cost of alcohol today. Is there data behind it?
Let’s just stick to the health impact:
Alcohol misuse contributes to almost one-third – ONE-THIRD! – of total costs to our health service. Here are some stats to break it down:
74% of Irish drinkers class themselves as “light” or “moderate” drinkers but – Healthy Ireland Survey data showed that more than 52% of Irish drinkers were classified as “hazardous drinkers” using the World Health Organization’s AUDIT-C screening tool.
It means that people just aren’t really aware that the amount that they are consuming is unhealthy. (Curious about your own use? I’ve attached it in the images so you can score yourself.)
Hazardous drinking was more common among men – as many as 70%, particularly younger men under age 35.
We also have a high rate of underage drinking: Lifetime drunkenness ranged from 5% of 13-year-olds to 62% of 17-year-olds.
There are over 40, 000 alcohol related admissions to hospital each year, and the length of admissions are substantially longer than non-alcohol related admissions.
While alcohol is associated with liver disease, it is also associated with heart disease, high blood pressue, pancreatitis, gastritis, oesophagitis, some forms of dementia, and some forms of cancer. It is also associated with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide.
Alcohol is also a factor in domestic violence and trauma.
Alcohol misuse is something I talk about alot with my real-life patients. Cutting back on alcohol use is a common health goal. #lifestylemedicine
Want to know more? Drinkaware website has great resources, including alcohol intake calculator, links to supports, and parenting guides.
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