Northern Ireland: 1 in 10 regular drinkers may have drinking problem

The latest Northern Ireland Drinking Survey, conducted on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, which examines the amount people drink, when, where and what they drink and who they drink with, finds that 1 in 10 of those who drink regularly may show some signs of alcohol dependence.

The key findings of the survey include:

Alcohol Consumption:

• More than 7 out of 10 (74%) adults drink alcohol

• A larger proportion of males (78%) than females (72%) drink alcohol

• Younger adults (18-29 years) are more likely t o drink than older adults (60-75 years)

Frequency of Drinking:

• Around half (52%) of drinkers reported drinking alcohol at least once a week or more frequently (6% of respondents reported drinking on an almost daily basis)

• A greater proportion of male respondents (8%) compared to females (5%) reported drinking alcohol dai ly or on most days

Drinking Levels

Recommended daily drinking limits:

• Around 8 in 10 respondents (78%) reported having reached or exceeded the recommended daily limit for drinking on at least one occasion in the week prior to the survey

• 18% of male drinker s reached or exceeded the recommended daily limits on 3 or more days that week, compared to 16% of female drinkers

• The recommended daily limits are exceeded most often on a Saturday (53% of drinkers) and on a Friday (31% of drinkers)

Weekly guidel ines for sensible drinking:

More females (80%) compared to males (74%) stayed within the weekly guidelines for sensible drinking limits

Binge Drinking:

• 3 in 10 (30%) of those who drank in the week before the survey had engaged in at least one binge drinking session

• Males (35%) are more likely than females (25%) to binge drink

• Half (50%) of respondents in the youngest age group (18-29) who drank in the week prior to the survey had engaged in at least one binge drinking session compared to 13% of respondents in the oldest age group (60- 75)

Problem Drinking:

• CAGE quest ion analysis (clinical interview questions) indicated that 1 in 10 (9%) of those who drank in the week prior to the survey are likely to have a problem with alcohol

• 6 in 10 (61%) of those who consumed alcohol in the week prior t o the survey consider themselves to be light drinkers

• Just over one third (36%) consider themselves to be moderate drinkers and 3% consider themselves to be heavy drinkers

Adult drinking patterns in Northern Ireland 2011
The survey is available here: http://www.dhsspsni.gov. uk/index/stats_research/stats-public-health/statsdrug- alcohol.htm