Health-related consequences of problem alcohol use (original) (raw)
Related papers
2011
This paper describes, for the first time, trends in alcohol-related deaths and deaths among people who were alcohol dependent in Ireland, as recorded by the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) for the years 2004−2008. The main findings of the analysis are: The NDRDI recorded 672 poisoning deaths in which alcohol was implicated in the five-year period. This total comprised almost equal numbers of alcohol-only poisonings and alcohol polysubstance (alcohol plus other substance/s) poisonings. The annual number fluctuated over the period, being highest in 2007 (170 deaths) and lowest in 2006 (111 deaths). Alcohol was the substance most frequently implicated in all fatal poisonings in Ireland in the five-year period. The majority of all poisoning deaths were male. The median age of those who died of alcohol-only poisoning was 48 years, while the median age of those who died of alcohol polysubstance poisoning was 41 years. The World Health Organization has endorsed certain strategies that have been shown to reduce alcohol related-harm. These include: increased taxes on alcohol; restrictions on alcohol outlet density, days and hours of sale; a minimum legal purchase age (18 years or over); a low legal blood alcohol concentration for drivers; random breath testing for drivers; and accessible brief advice programmes and alcohol treatment programmes. Alcohol is to be included in the forthcoming new National Substance Misuse Strategy. The effect of any changes in public health policy on alcohol, and the impact of those changes on alcohol-related mortality rates in the Irish population, will be monitored and measured by the NDRDI into the future. Part 4 All NDRDI-recorded poisoning deaths, from whatever substance, are presented in order to identify the contribution of alcohol to all fatal poisonings nationally.
Trends in treated problem drug use in Ireland, 1998 to 2002. Occasional Paper no. 17
2005
The data presented in this paper describe trends in treated problem drug use in Ireland. The total numbers include 33,391 cases who lived and were treated in Ireland between 1998 and 2002. In this paper, treated problem drug use is described in relation to person, place and time. This paper will assist policy makers, service planners and public health practitioners to develop appropriate responses to problem drug use in the future. The analysis presented in this paper is based on data reported to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System. The main findings and their implications are: • The prevalence of treated problem drug use among persons aged between 15 and 64 years living in Ireland, expressed per 100,000 of the population, increased by 27 per cent, from 225.4 in 1998 to 286.9 in 2002. The increased prevalence of treated problem drug use indicates that problem drug use is a chronic health condition that requires repeated treatment over time. * By specific drug, by new cases reporting more than one problem drug. † By new cases reporting use of between one and three additional drugs. * Age range presented is the 5th to 95th percentile (90% of all cases are within this age range). † From the data presented in this table, it is not possible to ascertain the exact percentage of injectors with each risk factor of interest as a not all known injectors had completed the subsequent injecting questions.
Recent Achievements in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Health Services Research
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 2009
Alcohol and drug abuse health services research (ADAHSR) encompasses a broad and varied array of issues and populations. This breadth is shown in definitions from the two federal agencies most directly involved in ADAHSR, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Both agencies are in agreement that ADAHSR is a multidisciplinary enterprise covering a broad array of questions, both macro (e.g., financing systems) and micro (e.g., personal beliefs and behaviors), and that ADAHSR addresses these questions in diverse populations and settings, including individuals, families, institutions, and communities (see Fig. 1). Both institutes seek to stimulate research to ultimately improve the quality of alcohol and drug abuse treatment and services, focusing on various dimensions including access, utilization, cost, organization, and management with the ultimate goal (either proximal or distal) of improving individual and public health.
2016
This piece of research was undertaken to provide a detailed overview and understanding of the current pattern of alcohol use and misuse in the Ballyfermot Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (BLDATF) areas. Recently, the Local Task Forces have been asked to address the growing problem of alcohol misuse within local communities by including alcohol in their remit. Information gathered from this study would offer the Task Force (BLDATF) a significant insight into the presenting issues, thereby assisting the ongoing deliberations to evaluate and adopt functioning strategies towards addressing alcohol problems. There have been national surveys assessing patterns and trends of alcohol use in Ireland, but very little is known about alcohol use and misuse in local communities like Ballyfermot where local Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces operate. While some of the findings from this study indicate apparent problem with alcohol use and misuse in this community, there have been some areas where t...
Illicit Drug Use in Ireland: An Overview of the Problem and Policy Responses
Journal of Drug Issues
Problematic drug use, mainly regarding the use of opiates, has been identified as a major social problem in Ireland. Such problematic drug use has been found to be concentrated in Dublin's inner city areas and outer estates where poverty, multi-generational unemployment, high population density (particularly of young adults), and poor facilities are the norm. Policy responses, although acknowledging the environmental context of the drug problem, have tended to focus on the medical treatment of the individual, rather than tackling the wider social and economic issues.
2014
HRB drug and alcohol evidence review This series is part of a process of knowledge transfer and exchange between the HRB and those engaged in developing and implementing responses to problem drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The reviews support drug and alcohol taskforces, service providers and policy makers in using research-based knowledge in their decision making, particularly in regard to their assigned actions in the National Drugs Strategy. Topics for review are selected following consultation with stakeholders to identify particular information gaps and to establish how the review will contribute to evidence-based selection and implementation of effective responses. Each issue in this review series will examine a topic relevant to the work of responding to the situation in Ireland and will be used as a resource document by service providers, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and others working in this area. National Documentation Centre on Drug Use The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use (NDC) commissions the reviews in this series. The NDC website and online repository (www.drugsandalcohol.ie) and our library information services provide access to Irish and international research literature in the area of drug and alcohol use and misuse, policy, treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, crime and other drug and alcohol-related topics. It is a significant information resource for researchers, policy makers and people working in the areas of drug or alcohol use and addiction. The National Drugs Strategy assigns the HRB the task of promoting and enabling research-informed policy and practice for stakeholders through the dissemination of evidence. This review series is part of the NDC's work in this area. Health Research Board The Health Research Board (HRB) is the lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. We provide funding, maintain health information systems and conduct research linked to national health priorities. Our aim is to improve people's health, build health research capacity and make a significant contribution to Ireland's knowledge economy. The HRB is Ireland's National Focal Point to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The focal point monitors, reports on and disseminates information on the drugs situation in Ireland and responses to it and promotes best practice and an evidence-based approach to work in this area. HRB drug and alcohol evidence reviews to date Munton AG, Wedlock E and Gomersall A (2014) The role of social and human capital in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. HRB Drug and Alcohol Evidence Review 1. Dublin: Health Research Board Munton AG, Wedlock E and Gomersall A (2014) The efficacy and effectiveness of drug and alcohol abuse prevention programmes delivered outside of school settings. HRB Drug and Alcohol Evidence Review 2.