76% of people treated for alcohol are jobless

THE effects of the recession are biting hard, with a massive jump in unemployment among people seeking treatment for alcohol.

A report published by the Health Research Board found 76% of people in alcohol treatment in 2010 were out of work — up from 60% in 2005.

“We can see the effect of the recession on the number of people employed, dropping from 40% in 2005 to 24% in 2010,” said report co-author Dr Suzi Lyons.