Pharmacotherapy to help ditch alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence is a major public health concern in Ireland today. Data from Health Statistics- Key Data on Health 2002, a report compiled by Eurostat, suggested that Ireland has the highest level of regular drinkers, with 51 per cent of the population being regular drinkers compared with an EU average of 25 per cent. On top of this it has recently been reported to an Oireachtas Committee that an estimated 5 per cent of the population are alcohol dependent, and a further 7 per cent alcohol abusive. {openx:269} Maintaining abstinence after alcohol detoxification can be a major challenge for doctor…