Country has almost 250,000 alcoholics

ALMOST 250,000 people in Ireland are alcoholics yet just a fifth are receivingtreatment. 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 mentalhealth centre, medics 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 thenegative consequences of the boom,” Dr Farren said.

“It is vital that Ireland has centres of excellence for treatment of alcoholdependence, and that treatment, training and research dovetail into a coherentprogramme.”

The university’s new centre, the Temple Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, will see addiction services provided in the community via clinicsand when necessary through inpatient services at the hospital.

According to St Patrick’s, addiction is a growing problem here and it is estimated:

n250,000 people have an alcohol abuse problem of whom only 20% are engaged in any form of treatment.

* The direct cost of alcohol related health problems is €960m per year, and the indirect cost is much higher.

* Women’s consumption of alcohol is also increasing. Figures show 50% of Irishwomen between the ages of 15-24 are regular drinkers compared with an EU average of 19%.

* We are the third highest consumers of alcohol in the EU, about 40% above theEU average.

St Patrick’s chief executive Paul Gilligan said: “The hospital is confident it will excel as a centre for treatment.”

The centre is to be opened this morning by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.