Alcohol dependence down but more treated for harmful use

Fewer people are presenting with alcohol dependence, but more are entering treatment with harmful or hazardous use, according to the latest figures from the Health Research Board.

Latest figures show 8,798 treatment cases for problem alcohol use in Ireland in 2025, representing a slight increase compared with 2024 (8,745).

Almost one-third of cases reported using another drug along with alcohol last year. Cocaine remains the most common additional drug used alongside alcohol.

In 2025, men accounted for six in ten cases with a median age of 42 years. Women had a median age of 44 years.

Polydrug use

In 2025, almost one in three cases reported using another drug along with alcohol which is in line with 2024 figures.

The nine-year trend from 2017 to 2025 shows the proportion of cases reporting polydrug use increased from almost 20% in 2017 to 32% in 2025.

The 2025 figures show cocaine (72%) was the most common additional drug used alongside alcohol, followed by cannabis (50%), benzodiazepines (17%), and opioids (10%).

The proportion reporting cocaine as an additional drug increased from 42% in 2017 to 72% in 2025.

Key trends over time (2017–2025)

Overall, alcohol treatment demand has increased over the nine-year period, reaching its highest level in 2025 with 8,798 cases treated.

The profile of alcohol use severity has shifted over time, with the proportion of cases classified as alcohol dependent decreasing from 72% in 2017 to 49% in 2025.

However, there have been increases in both hazardous use (almost 10% to 16%) and harmful use (16% to 30%).

Median alcohol consumption levels have decreased over time, while the proportion of cases consuming alcohol daily increased from 43% in 2017 to 58% in 2025.

The treatment population has continued to age, with the median age increasing from 41 years in 2017 to 43 years in 2025.

The proportion of males treated for alcohol as a main problem decreased from 65% in 2017 to 60% in 2025.