Binge drinking doubles liver disease among Irish youth
Since binge drinking and related diseases have increased over the past 5 years in Ireland, the RCPI Policy Group on Alcohol have listed a series of recommendations in order to reduce this phenomenon. According to data released, alcohol consumption is especially popular among people aged 18-29, and the most chronic alcohol-related conditions are liver diseases and chirrosis, whose cases have doubled from 1997 to 2008.
In the isle, the rate of discharges for Alcohol Liver Disease increased by 247% for 15-34 year olds, and by 224% for 35-49 year olds between 1995 and 2007, while in 2008 there were an estimated 88 deaths per month attributable to alcohol and about 2,000 beds occupied each night in hospitals. Such a dramatic scenario has pushed the Department of Health to make some recommendations.
The main include:
1) the introduction of minimum pricing to prevent the sale of cheap alcohol;
2) the availability of alcohol to be reduced;
3) the end of alcohol sponsorship of sport events and organizations.