The power of addiction - A lethal mystery

The death of anyone as young as Peaches Geldof, who died from a drug overdose aged 25, is always a tragedy, but when that death is caused by a life-controlling addiction, it seems even more so. The trauma of a premature and unexpected death is exacerbated by the incomprehension around why anyone would expose themselves to such a lethal risk.

Yet, despite this obvious fact, and almost endless public health education, addiction is all around us; some people are addicted to illicit — if that word has any meaning in this context — others to prescribed drugs, others are addicted to gambling or other self-destructive lifestyles.

However, it is probably fair to suggest that more Irish people are addicted to alcohol than any other substance.