The number of treated cases1 recorded decreased from 7,760 in 2014 to 5,824 in 2020.

  • Levels of alcohol dependency2 remain high – two-in-three cases.
  • Many cases in treatment had been drinking more in a typical day than would be suggested as a maximum weekly limit in HSE low-risk guidelines.3
  • Polydrug use was reported by almost one quarter of cases (23%). Cocaine was the second most common additional drug used after cannabis. 

Speaking about the results Dr Anne-Marie Carew, Research Officer at the HRB says:

“Alcohol continues to be the most common drug that people in Ireland seek treatment for. In 2020 we saw an overall drop in the number of cases entering drug treatment which can in part be attributed to temporary service closures and measures introduced to comply with COVID-19 public health restrictions. This does not necessarily indicate a real decline in demand for treatment. The HRB’s ability to capture high quality data over time will be vital in terms of measuring and understanding the impact of COVID-19 on addiction and addiction treatment in Ireland.”

Key findings 2020 

  • A total of 5,824 cases were treated in 2020, a decrease from 7,546 cases in 2019.
  • Almost two-in-three cases were already alcohol dependent when they presented for treatment.2 Among cases seeking treatment for the very first time, the proportion who are already dependent remains high.
  • In the month prior to treatment, the median number of standard drinks4 consumed on a typical drinking day was 16 for women and 20 for men.
  • Almost one-in-four cases reported problem use of other drugs in addition to alcohol (polydrug use). Cannabis (55%) was the most common additional drug reported by cases using more than one drug, followed closely by cocaine (54%) and benzodiazepines (25%). 
  • The proportion using cocaine as an additional drug has increased from 28% in 2014 to 54% in 2020.

“The main concern with mixing alcohol and other drugs is that it increases complexity of cases and often leads to poorer outcomes for the patient”, explains Dr Carew.

Socio-demographic characteristics

  • The median age of treatment has remained stable since 2015, at 41 years.
  • The majority of cases in 2020 were male (62%), similar to previous years.
  • The proportion of cases aged 17 years or younger has decreased slightly since 2014.
  • Each year, rates of homelessness, ceasing education before age 16, and unemployment were higher among previously treated cases than among new cases.
  • In 2020, almost one-in-ten cases were homeless.
  • Around half of reported cases in 2020 were unemployed, but rates of unemployment have declined slightly over the reporting period from 2014 (56%) to 2020 (49%). 
  • Similar to previous years, the typical female case entering alcohol treatment was 43 years, preferred drinking spirits and wine and consumed 16 standard drinks in a typical drinking day in the month before treatment.
  • Nearly one-in-five female cases reported problem use of other drugs in addition to alcohol, the most common being cocaine and cannabis. Problem cocaine use in addition to alcohol increased from 46% in 2019 to 50% in 2020. Rates of benzodiazepines and opioid use are more common among females than males.
  • The typical male case entering treatment in 2020 was 40 years old, preferred drinking beer and would drink 20 standard drinks in a typical drinking day. One-in-four of these cases reported problem use of other drugs, the most common were cannabis and cocaine.
  • Male cases were twice as likely to be homeless as female cases.

Residing with children

  • In 2020, almost one-in-five (17%) of cases treated for alcohol were residing with children5 aged 17 years or younger. The majority were females (almost three-in-five of these cases), while males accounted for just over two-in-five cases.
  • A similar number of cases (18%) treated for alcohol in 2020 had children aged 17 years or younger who were not currently residing with them.6 Almost three quarters of these cases were males, and a quarter were females.

Type of service provider

  • In 2020, three-in-five cases were treated in outpatient facilities.
  • The proportion of cases treated in residential settings decreased by 8% between 2019 and 2020. The reduction in residential numbers can in part be attributed to temporary closures and measures introduced to comply with COVID-19 public health restrictions.

A copy of the HRB Bulletin NDTRS 2014 – 2020 Alcohol Treatment Data and related infographics are available in the publications section of our website.

ENDS 

For more information, infographics or interviews please contact:

Gillian Markey, Communications Manager, Health Research Board 

m +353 87 2288514, e gmarkey@hrb.ie 

1Each case refers to an episode of treatment, not an individual service user. NDTRS data are case-based which means there is a possibility that individuals appear more than once in the database; for example, where a person receives treatment at more than one centre, or at the same centre more than once in a calendar year.

2Alcohol dependence: Strong desire to consume alcohol, impaired control over use, persistent drinking in spite of harmful consequences, a higher priority given to alcohol than any other activities or obligations, increased tolerance and showing withdrawal reaction when alcohol use is discontinued. Source WHO: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (2001). 

3Low risk drinking guidelines from the HSE say up to 11 standard drinks in a week for women, and up to 17 standard drinks in a week for men. That is half pint of normal beer, a small glass of wine (12.5% in volume) a or a pub measure (35mls) of spirits. Drinks should be spaced out over the week, with two to three alcohol free days per week. 

4What is a standard drink? In Ireland a standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. For example, one standard drink is equal to a half pint of normal beer, a small glass of wine (12.5% in volume) or a pub measure of spirits (35mls) https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/alcohol/improve-your-health/weekly-low-risk-alcohol-guidelines.html

5Service users currently residing with children refers to the 30 days prior to treatment. This includes children where the service user has a carer or guardianship role; nonrelated children such as foster children and stepchildren; and the children of a long-term cohabiting partner.  Where the service user is a grandparent or other close relative and is the official guardian of a child with whom they are living, they are recorded as living with children.

6Children who are not residing with the service user refers to children currently living with another parent; children in formal care or informal care; and children living elsewhere who are biological children/adopted children, or children who are under the official guardianship of the service user.  It also refers to children who have left home, and children who are living with other family members or friends temporarily, but who are not considered by the service user to be living in care.

Notes for editors 

This paper describes trends in treated problem alcohol use in Ireland over the seven-year period 2014 to 2020, as recorded by the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS). This information will assist policy makers, service planners and public health practitioners to develop appropriate responses to problem alcohol use in the future.

The Health Research Board (HRB) is Ireland’s lead funding agency supporting innovative health research and delivering data and evidence that improves people’s health and patient care. We are committed to putting people first, and ensuring data and evidence are used in policy and practice to overcome health challenges, advance health systems, and benefit society and economy.