Alcohol abuse - Time to recognise social cost

The findings of a report on trends of alcohol-related deaths in Ireland for the years 2004 to 2008, published yesterday by the Health Research Board, throws much needed light on what remains a serious issue in Irish society.

According to the report, between 2004 to 2008, there were 672 alcohol-related poisoning deaths in Ireland. Two-thirds of those were men and a majority of them were under the age of 50.

There were 3,336 deaths of alcohol-dependent people, rising from 508 in 2004 to 799 in 2008. The vast majority of those deaths — 89% — were due to medical causes. Those conditions involved liver disease in 24% of the cases, while cardiac conditions accounted for 17% and respiratory infections for 11%.