Shocking statistics from the Examiner today reporting on a HSE study done on the relationship of alcohol with violence/social disorder in Ireland over the last two decades.

Findings include:

• More than a quarter of admissions to A&E wards are for alcohol-related injuries

• Alcohol is a factor in 25% of all severe domestic abuse cases

• Two-thirds of women drink during pregnancy (didn't say how much)

• Liver disease among Irish people has increased by 148% over a 10-year period

• Alcohol is a factor in more than a third of road deaths

• Alcohol-related cancers are set to increase by 81%-100% by 2020

Irish Examiner

Apocalyptic stuff from the HSE there. Next thing they'll be doing is shutting down the Síbín Reoite. Seriously - has our drinking got out of hand? Is it time for a few Temperance Halls to spring up around the place?

Stocking up on smoothies, alcohol free beer and interesting teas for the Sibín, Auditor.

cactus flower wrote:

Stocking up on smoothies, alcohol free beer and interesting teas for the Sibín, Auditor.

I couldn't inaugurate another new bar yet - The Doolin Bar will have to do for the tee-totallers for now. People should be allowed to make their choices in these things I believe, but they should know what the consequences of their proclivities might be. I think we are way too casual about the effects of drink here - just a little bit more mindfulness wouldn't go astray but how to cultivate that? 'Maybe we are an all-or-nothing crowd or maybe it's something which has to run its course, the pure drinking binge we're on.

Apart from the liver disease and cancer, are any of these figures actually on the rise? Personally I doubt it in the case of drink-related road accidents.

My theory about the health effects is that people are dying less in other manners such as smoking or work related deaths. Drink is starting to become the main killer, but actual rates of consumption might not have gone up. But that's probably just me with my head in the sand.

I'm surprised at the pregnant women. I've never known any of my rotund friends to drink.

The examiner link is broken above but I have the paper so I can tell you later. Keep you in suspense.