Vol. 451 No. 7
65 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health the statistics, if any, which are available regarding the number of alcoholics in Ireland; the social groups most affected by alcoholism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6994/95]
Limerick East): There are no reliable statistics on the number of alcoholics in Ireland. However, information is available on the number of persons admitted for treatment for alcohol-related disorders in psychiatric hospitals and units. In 1993, the latest year for which statistics are available, there were 5,718 admissions to psychiatric hospitals and units with the diagnosis ‘alcohol-related disorders’. This number of admissions represented a rate of 161.5 per 100,000 and was the second most frequent reason for admission to our pyschiatric hospitals and units. Of all admissions for alcohol-related disorders in 1993, 1,742 or 24 per cent were first time admissions.
Table 1 which is being circulated in the Official Report, shows that all socio-economic groups were represented in admission to psychiatric hospitals and units in 1993 but that the unskilled manual and the unspecified category were over-represented. However, admissions to hospital for alcohol disorders at best only indicate a lower limit to the incidence of health problems arising from alcohol misuse. This is particularly so in recent times with the increasing emphasis on out-patient treatment.
The emphasis in relation to alcohol-related problems should, of course, be on their prevention. This is a key element in the promotion of moderation in the consumption of alcohol in order to reduce the risks of physical, mental and family health which arises from alcohol misuse. The national health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future made a commitment to the publication of a national alcohol policy. This policy will address the broader economic, social, educational, cultural and health factors which impinge on alcohol use and misuse and it will be published in the near future.
TABLE 1
Alcohol-Related Disorders
Socio-Economic Group: Rate per 100,000 Population.
|
No. per 100,000 population |
|
|
Farmers |
92.9 |
|
Other Agricultural |
131.2 |
|
Higher Professional |
117.7 |
|
Lower Professional |
121.9 |
|
Employers and Managers |
64.3 |
|
Salaried Employees |
104.1 |
|
Inter. non-manual |
124.6 |
|
Other non-manual |
138.5 |
|
Skilled manual |
114.3 |
|
Semi-skilled manual |
142.9 |
|
Unskilled manual |
440.0 |
|
Unspecified |
389.4 |
|
Total |
161.5 |
Source: Activities of Irish Psychiatric Hospitals and Units, 1993.
