[Department of Health] Minister for Health highlights advice and supports for people with alcohol related problems during COVID-19. (14 May 2020)
External website: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ae0da6-ministe...
Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, and Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne, today highlighted advice and supports for people with alcohol related problems during COVID-19.
COVID-19 poses additional risks to people with alcohol related problems. It is known that alcohol weakens the immune system and reduces the ability to cope with infectious diseases. Heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, one of the most severe complications of COVID-19.
There is evidence from the CSO that a fifth of all adults who drink are consuming more alcohol during the shutdown period associated with COVID-19, while a smaller percentage report a decrease.
The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive are providing enhanced advice and supports for people dependent on alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include information and services on the AskAboutAlcohol website and social media posts. They have also published a COVID-19 poster with key messages for reducing the harms associated with alcohol and for supporting recovery.
Minister Harris said:
As well as adhering to physical distancing and other guidelines incuding washing hands and practising good respiratory hygiene, there are additional public health messages for people who drink:
- do not stockpile alcohol
- have a few alcohol-free days per week
- do not to mix alcohol with drugs or other medicines
- delay drinking until children have gone to bed
Minister of State Catherine Byrne said:
Minister Byrne continued:
Aisling Sheehan, National Lead, HSE Alcohol and Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes, commented:
B Substances > Alcohol
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Alcohol use disorder
G Health and disease > Disease by cause (Aetiology) > Communicable / infectious disease > Viral disease / infection > Coronavirus (COVID-19)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health care programme, service or facility > Substance disorder treatment unit
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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