More than half drink in 'harmful manner', says Government report

More than half of Irish drinkers consume alcohol in a harmful manner, according to the results of a new survey out today.

Harmful drinking, using AUDIT-C scores, was more common among male drinkers (71%) than female drinkers (44%) and more common among 18–24-year-old drinkers (75%) than their older counterparts.

A total of 56% of all adult drinkers returned a positive AUDIT-C score.

The Drug Prevalence Survey 2010-11, published by the Department of Health, also revealed that only 13% of the population are now classed as non-drinkers, with three quarters of people having consumed alcohol in the past year.

Women (15%) were more likely than men (11%) to be non–drinkers

The survey found that more than two-thirds of survey respondents and 72% of current drinkers aged 18-24 years, engaged in monthly binge drinking in the 12 months prior to the survey.

One in five drinkers reported that they had experienced harm in the previous 12 months as a result of their drinking, with men almost twice as likely as women to report harm, such as harm to health, work and friendship (26% vs. 14%).

The harms included family problems, being assaulted, and being a passenger with a drunk driver.

“Instances involving excessive consumption of alcohol over the summer period, leading to anti-social behaviour and violence at large public events, are among the latest overt illustrations of the problem,” said Minister Shortall.

“The subsequent public reaction to such events may indicate that such blatant public drunkenness and negative behaviour can no longer be tolerated by the vast majority of our people.

“Increased focus on the availability of cheap alcohol, excessive drinking and associated anti-social behaviour is awakening us to the realities of the situation and the need to do something about it.

“It is crucial that we as a society reduce the overall level of alcohol consumed in Ireland and also tackle the problems of alcohol misuse. I am determined that effective steps will be taken over the coming period to address problems associated with alcohol across our society.”

The survey was conducted between October 2010 and May 2011 and comprised a representative sample of people aged 15-64. It achieved 7,669 respondents (5,134 in Ireland and 2,535 in Northern Ireland).