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.