Some ways to help prevent alcohol affecting your mood
- Exercise every day, will boost your sense of wellbeing and improve your mood
- Learn breathing exercises – will help when you feel anxious
- Talk to someone about your worries – don’t try and mask them with alcohol
- Eat regularly and eat well
- Take time to relax and get plenty of sleep
Statistics
- Ireland has the 9th highest per capita alcohol consumption rate of all OCED member countries plus is the 8th highest rate of monthly binge drinking in the World
- Four in 10 men drink more than daily guidelines
- In 2019, on average Irish people drank 10.8 litres of pure alcohol
- 52.3% of Irish drinkers are classified as hazardous drinkers while two in five drinkers report monthly binge drinking
- In 2020, Wine consumption increased by 12%, Beer consumption fell by 17% and Cider consumption fell by 11.4%
- 37% of those with possible alcohol dependence reported very severe anxiety compared with 16% of low-risk drinkers
- In 2017, there were 1,094 alcohol related deaths which is an average of three deaths per day
- In 2018, 30% of self-harm cases were alcohol-related
- In 2020, 5,824 cases received treatment for their alcohol use – 62% were male
(Statistics from The Healthy Ireland Survey, Health Research Board and the CSO.,)
Ways of cut down consumption
Here are some tips if you feel the need in cutting down on your drinking:-
- Pace yourself or take smaller sips
- Keep to your own personal drinking rules: when, where and how to drink
- Change your drink
- If you drink spirits, dilute them and have soft drink or water between alcoholic drinks
- Have a cut-off point that is realistic, yet represents a meaningful reduction in your drinking habits
- Have alcohol free days!
If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking habits, you can get information or advice by contacting your GP or one of the following organisations:-
