Study finds Ireland 'deserves' heavy drinking reputation

A major international study says Ireland "deserves" its reputation for heavy drinking.

The Global Drug Survey - which examined more than 100,000 people around the world - says Ireland has the highest rate of people at risk of alcoholic dependence.

The survey saw 2,392 Irish people complete the online questionnaire, which also found that Ireland has the highest number of respondents wanting to drink less and the highest percentage of people who need medical help after drinking.

2.8% of the Irish surveyed sought emergency treatment after drinking within the last twelve months - with Brazil the next highest at 2.2%.

Seven out of ten people who sought help were later admitted to hospital, and just under half said it did not change their drinking habits.