National: Close to one million Irish people grew up with a 'problem drinker'

CLOSE TO one million people in Ireland lived with a problem drinker as a child, according to new research.

A study by Maynooth University found a strong correlation between children who grow up in such an environment and the development of mental health problems later in life. 

The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) comparison study found that the link between alcohol and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was ‘significant’ in adults who grew up in such environments. 

“As a society, we are in denial about the harm alcohol causes to children,” said Alcohol Action Ireland CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany.

“Children grow up in an environment of uncertainty, they literally sometimes don’t know day-to-day what the atmosphere will be like or what the implications will be.

“That kind of uncertainty leads to all sorts of other problems: it can lead to emotional problems or mental health difficulties. We know that an awful lot of trauma associated with this particular [phenomenon] is called an adverse child experience.” 

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Dr Gilheany continued by saying that “this is not about blaming parents”: “Parents are dealing with their own stresses and a lack of trauma-informed services leads people to use alcohol more and more.”

“Having problems with anxiety, mental health difficulties can also lead to other problems like eating disorders, addiction problems - [an] intergenerational [problem],” she said. 

The HSE recommends women drink no more than 11 standard drinks (110g pure alcohol) during a single week with at least two alcohol free days. 

For men, they suggest no more than 17 standard drinks (170g pure alcohol) over a seven day period. 

If you feel you have a problem with alcohol, you can contact the HSE’s confidential helpline on 1800 459 459 from Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.