In 2022, 7,421 cases were treated for problem alcohol use.

• The proportion of new cases (never treated for problem alcohol use before) was 44.2%.
• The majority of cases were treated in outpatient facilities (60.2%).

Level of problem alcohol use

• In 2022, the median age at which cases first started drinking alcohol was 16 years.
• Almost two-in-every-three (65.3%) cases were classified as alcohol dependent.
• Among cases seeking treatment for alcohol use for the first time, the majority (64.0%) were classified as alcohol dependent.
• Seven-in-ten (68.1%) previously treated cases were classified as alcohol dependent.

Type of alcohol consumed

• Spirits (57.5%) were the most preferred type of alcohol, followed by beer (49.1%) and wine (28.3%).

Amount of alcohol consumed

• Almost three-in-four cases (73.4%) consumed alcohol in the 30 days prior to treatment.

— Of which, over half (56.8%) consumed alcohol daily.

• For females the median number of standard drinks consumed on a typical drinking day was 15. The low risk drinking guidelines for females is up to 11 standard drinks in a week.8
• For males the median number of standard drinks consumed on a typical drinking day was 20. The low risk drinking guidelines for males is up to 17 standard drinks in a week.

Polydrug use

• Polydrug use (problem use of more than one substance) was reported by almost one-quarter (24.2%) of cases. This was an increase from 23.7% in 2021.
• Cocaine (61.4%) was the most common additional drug, followed by cannabis (49.4%), benzodiazepines (21.7%), and opioids (12.8%).
• In 2022, for the first time cocaine was the most common additional drug, surpassing cannabis which was the most common drug in earlier years.