Depression among teens linked to drink intake

Depression levels among sixth-year boys increases “substantially” the more often they get drunk, rising to “severe” levels for those who binge drink weekly.

Research among Leaving Certificate male students found that more than eight out of 10 had been drunk during the previous year and that almost half of these reported getting very drunk at least once a month.

A study conducted by Robert Kerr and published in the Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies said the findings were equivalent to the average student surveyed getting drunk 19 times a year.