In 2018, some 1,086 cases were admitted to psychiatric facilities with an alcohol disorder, of which 389 were treated for the first time. Figure 1 presents the rates of first admission between 1998 and 2018 for cases with a diagnosis of an alcohol disorder. The admission rate in 2018 was lower than the previous year, and trends over time indicate an overall decline in first admissions. One-third of cases hospitalised for an alcohol disorder in 2018 stayed just under one week, while 33% of cases were hospitalised for between one and three months, similar to previous years.
In 2018, some 995 cases were admitted to psychiatric facilities with a drug disorder. Of these cases, 408 were treated for the first time. Figure 2 presents the rates of first admission between 1998 and 2018 of cases with a diagnosis of a drug disorder. Although the rate decreased slightly in 2018, there has been an overall increase in the rate of first admission with a drug disorder since 2011. It should be noted that the report does not present data on drug use and psychiatric comorbidity; therefore, it is not possible to determine whether or not these admissions were appropriate.
Figure 1: Rates of psychiatric first admission of cases with a diagnosis of an alcohol disorder per 100,000 of population in Ireland, 1998-2018
Source: Daly and Craig (2019)
Figure 2: Rates of psychiatric first admission of cases with a diagnosis of a drug disorder per 100,000 of population in Ireland, 1998-2018
Source: Daly and Craig (2019)
Other notable statistics on admissions for a drug disorder in 2018 include the following:
- Less than one-half of cases hospitalised for a drug disorder stayed under one week (48%), while 99% were discharged within three months. It should be noted that admissions and discharges represent episodes or events and not persons.
- 17% of first-time admissions were involuntary.
- Similar to previous years, the rate of first-time admissions was higher for men (13.8 per 100,000 population) than for women (3.5 per 100,000 population).
- Daly A and Craig S (2019) Activities of Irish psychiatric units and hospitals 2018. Dublin: Health Research Board.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30746/