The impact of COVID-19 on alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in a binge like pattern, continues to be a growing public health concern in Ireland. It is estimated that Irish adults drink 10.78 litres per capita per year and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked Ireland joint third for binge drinking in an analysis of 194 nations1. Alcohol remains one of the leading causes of preventable mortality and morbidity globally, and it has previously been estimated that ten percent of all general inpatient hospital costs, seven percent of GP costs and up to thirty percent of emergency department costs are alcohol related.