We know from studies that 84 per cent of the adult population in Ireland drink alcohol, and the amount in volume that we drink per year is on a steady increase, according to a Lancet study published last year. The reality is that we will be feeling the effects of this pandemic for months and years to come. What we don’t need is to add widespread alcohol addiction to the list of problems we as individuals, families and a society have to face on the other side of this. But over time – even months – excessive alcohol consumption can bring with it a long list of health problems, financial costs and relationship issues. Nicola Perry is director of Community Response, a HSE-funded service for people with addiction problems.

Source: The Irish Times April 02, 2020 00:52 UTC