Females 'binge-drinking as much as men'

A leading hepatologist says young women are now binge-drinking at the same rate as men.

More than 88 deaths every week are directly linked to diseases caused by alcohol, and they are the focus of a new initiative targeting the relationship between women and drinking.

The 'Girls, Women and Alcohol' event is part of Alcohol Action Week - which will run until Wednesday.

Dr Orla Crosbie, a Consultant Hepatologist at Cork University Hospital, said young women who drink heavily run the risk of liver disease and cancer in later life.

She said: "The number of females now binge-drinking is the same as males in college, students and even younger, school-going children.

"Females are a lot more susceptible to the affects of alcohol, because they are smaller, they can't dilute it as well.

"We are going to see liver disease presenting in females at a much younger age and after less intake."