AlcoholLater in the day, there were two sessions on alcohol misuse and health consequences. The former Medical Council Vice-President began by outlining current practices at SVUH, including the “six-month rule” on alcohol abstinence for liver transplant candidates. Dr Dillon then presented data showing self-reported alcohol relapse rates of between 30 and 40 per cent at five years post-transplant for patients in this category. She concluded by saying that the period of alcohol abstinence is a starting point for assessment but should not be the final point. Alcohol, he argued, is cheaper than it used to be and there is a close relationship between alcohol costs and consumption.

Source: Irish Independent June 19, 2024 16:40 UTC