The National Psychiatric Inpatient Reporting System (NPIRS) Annual Report on the Activities of Irish Psychiatric Units and Hospitals 2024 published by the Health Research Board (HRB) Mental Health Information Systems Unit1 shows that the rate of new admissions to inpatient care for alcohol disorders has remained stable.

In 2024, some 696 cases were admitted to psychiatric facilities with an alcohol disorder; of these cases, 259 were treated for the first time. Figure 1 presents the rates of first admission between 2004 and 2024 for cases with a diagnosis of an alcohol disorder. Trends over time indicate an overall decline in first admissions. In 2024, almost two-thirds (62.2%; n=161) of cases of first-time admission for an alcohol disorder were male and 95.8% (n=248) were voluntary.

In 2024, some 860 cases were also admitted to psychiatric facilities with a drug disorder. Of these cases, 385 were treated for the first time. Figure 2 presents the rates of first admission between 2004 and 2024 for cases with a diagnosis of a drug disorder. The admission rate in 2024 (7.5 per 100,000 population) was similar to that reported in 2023 (7.7 per 100,000 population). It should be noted that the report does not present data on drug use and psychiatric comorbidity; it is therefore not possible to determine whether or not these admissions were appropriate.

Source: Daly et al. (2025)

Figure 1: Rates of psychiatric first admission of cases with a diagnosis of an alcohol disorder per 100,000 of population in Ireland, 2004-2024

Source: Daly et al. (2025)

Figure 2: Rates of psychiatric first admission of cases with a diagnosis of a drug disorder per 100,000 of population in Ireland, 2004-2024

Similar to previous years, the rate of psychiatric first admission with a diagnosis of a drug disorder was higher for men (11.3 per 100,000 population) than for women (3.7 per 100,000 population). In 2024, 84.7% (n=326) of psychiatric first admission of cases with a diagnosis of a drug disorder were voluntary.

1    Daly A, Lovett H and Lynn E (2025) National Psychiatric Inpatient Reporting System (NPIRS) Annual Report on the Activities of Irish Psychiatric Units and Hospitals 2024. Dublin: Health Research Board. Available from:
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/43691/