Alcohol-related illness costs Irish hospitals €800 million in five years

Young to middle-aged men were the most likely to spend the night in hospital because of alcohol-related health problems.

IRISH HOSPITALS SPENT more than €800 million on treating alcohol-related illnesses over a five year period, new research has found.

Alcohol-related cases also accounted for almost nine per cent – or almost 2.9 million – of all hospital bed days (overnights stays in hospital) between 2000 and 2004, reports Medical Independent. The cost of treating patients suffering from alcohol associated problems accounted for 15 per cent of the total health budget over the period studied.

Young to middle-aged men were the most likely to spend the night in hospital because of alcohol-related problems, with a total of 37 per cent of all male bed days wholly contributed to alcohol. In contrast, the proportion of women being kept overnight solely because of alcohol-related problems stood at 25 per cent, according to the study.

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Alcohol-related illness costs Irish hospitals €800 million in five years

Read more in Priscilla Lynch’s Medical Independent report >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.