A total of 8,163 cases were treated for problem alcohol use in 2023, according to the latest data from the Health Research Board (HRB) – an increase of 10% on 2022 figures and the highest annual total in over a decade.

One in four cases also reported problem use of another drug along with alcohol in 2023. Cocaine remains the most common additional drug reported with 1,310 cases mixing alcohol and cocaine in 2023 compared to 607 in 2017.

Key findings 2023

Level of problem alcohol use

• A total of 8,163 cases were treated for problem alcohol use in 2023, the highest level in over a decade.
• Among cases seeking treatment for alcohol use for the first time in 2023, the majority (three in five) were classified as alcohol dependent.
• The proportion of all cases that were classified as alcohol dependent has decreased from 72% in 2017, to 61% in 2023.
• The proportion of all cases whose alcohol use was classified as hazardous has increased from 10% in 2017, to 13% in 2023.
• The proportion of all cases whose alcohol use was classified as harmful has increased from 16% in 2017, to 22% in 2023.

Frequency and amount of alcohol consumed

Among those who consumed alcohol in the 30 days prior to treatment:

• One in two (51.5%) consumed alcohol daily over the seven-year period 2017 - 2023.
• The proportion who consumed alcohol daily increased from 43% in 2017 to 56% in 2023.

Many cases in treatment had been drinking more in a typical day than is outlined for a week based on HSE low risk guidelines.

• Females were drinking on average more than two bottles of wine in a typical drinking session (15 standard drinks).
• Males were drinking on average nine pints of beer or over a half litre of spirts in a typical drinking session (18 standard drinks).

Socio-demographic characteristics

A typical case is likely to be in their early forties, male and likely to be unemployed. Females entering treatment are likely to be in mid-forties, almost half are unemployed and more than half live with a child under 17.

Overall, in 2023:

• The median age of cases was 43 years.
• The median age of females (44 years) was higher than that for males (42 years).
• Six in ten cases were male.
• Almost one in twelve one-in-twelve cases were homeless.
• The proportion of cases with Irish Traveller ethnicity was almost 2%.
• Almost half of cases were recorded as unemployed.
• One in three cases were in paid employment.
• Among parents with children aged 17 years or under, more than half (51%) had at least one child residing with them at the time of they entered treatment.