Alcohol treatment cases up 19% since 2022, report shows 

The report shows that the presentation of people in treatment has changed with a reduction in those assessed as alcohol dependent (decreasing from 72% in 2017 to 49% in 2025), alongside increases in both hazardous (almost 10% to 16%) and harmful use (16% to 30%). File picture

Alcohol treatment cases have increased by almost 20% in the last four years, new figures show.

The number of people seeking help with their drinking reached its highest level in the last nine years in 2025, with almost 8,800 cases.

Publishing the data, the Health Research Board (HRB) said the figure is part of a general increase in alcohol treatment cases over nine years.

HRB figures show there were 7,350 alcohol treatment cases in 2017, increasing to 7,546 in 2019. It dipped post-covid to 7,424 in 2022.

Numbers rose to 8,163 in 2023, 8,745 in 2024, and 8,798 in 2025 (+19% since 2022).

HRB chief executive Gráinne Gorman said: “Behind each of these figures is a person in need, as well as affected loved ones.” 

The report shows that the presentation of people in treatment has changed with a reduction in those assessed as alcohol dependent (decreasing from 72% in 2017 to 49% in 2025), alongside increases in both hazardous (almost 10% to 16%) and harmful use (16% to 30%). 

Typical alcohol consumption levels decreased over time, while the proportion of cases consuming alcohol daily increased from 43% in 2017 to 58% in 2025.  

HRB senior researcher Anne Marie Carew said: “We are seeing clear changes in drinking patterns. While fewer people are presenting with alcohol dependence, more are entering treatment with harmful or hazardous use. 

"This suggests earlier engagement with services, which can improve outcomes, but it also highlights the need for strong prevention and early intervention. 

"The earlier people engage with treatment services the more successful outcomes are likely to be.” 

Other drugs

The report also shows an increase in the number of people reporting taking other drugs along with alcohol, known as polydrug use.

This has risen from almost 20% in 2017 to 32% in 2025.

Increased cocaine use has driven this trend, with the party drug overtaking cannabis as the main second drug in 2022.

The figures show that the proportion of polydrug users reporting cocaine as an additional drug has jumped from 42% in 2017 to 72% in 2025.

Health experts warn that cocaine and alcohol combined creates a specific chemical, called cocaethylene, which creates cardiac abnormalities.

Cannabis is the second most popular additional drug (50%).

Ms Carew said: “The use of other drugs alongside alcohol is a concerning trend. 

"We know that mixing substances complicates treatment, can make recovery more difficult, and can also be dangerous to the individual. 

"This highlights the importance of early prevention, because patterns established in youth can have long-term consequences.”

• Cormac O’Keeffe is Security Correspondent.