The National Drug-Related Deaths Index reports an average of three deaths in Ireland every day from alcohol-related issues. Naturally, excessive drinking leads to alcohol addiction and diseases such as liver problems. It’s also a contributing cause to cardiovascular disease and cancer, causing strain on already overloaded health services.
It seems that there is a silver lining as reportedly, alcohol consumption amongst the Irish population has dipped to a new low in over three decades. The report, provided by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, a body that represents alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, is an encouraging piece of news.
However, complacency is not an option yet. The organisation estimates Irish citizens drink nearly 10 litres of pure alcohol annually on average. Interestingly, this figure is close to the EU average of 9.8 litres, though still short of the government’s goal of 9.1 litres. Considering a third of Ireland’s populace doesn’t imbibe alcohol at all, those who do, the actual consumption rates must be notably higher.
A causal concern is the nature of alcohol consumption. Roughly half of those who consume alcohol can be classified as hazardous drinkers, with the male population showing a higher percentage than their female counterparts. Alarmingly, the trend of dangerous drinking extends to approximately 64% of the youth.
The nation’s interactions with alcohol remain an unhealthy affair, albeit slow improvements are being seen. Hazardous drinking rate is experiencing a downward trend while the proportion of non-drinking young population appears to be on the up.
However, such seemingly optimistic shifts might come with their own complications. The reasons behind these changes remain ambiguous and could indicate less social interaction and a potential shift towards other substances among the youth. Consequently, a comprehensive study is warranted to better understand the changing alcohol consumption patterns among the younger generation in Ireland.