APG Addiction & Dual Diagnosis – Some Key Insights from Our Recent Meeting
At our latest APG meeting NISRA presented their research analysing drug-related and alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland (2015–2023).
The findings are stark:
• Drug-related deaths ↑ 48%
• Alcohol-specific deaths ↑ 46%
• 70% of deaths were male
• Most male drug-related deaths occurred under age 45
The research highlights strong links between mortality and socio-economic factors, including:
• Poor mental health
• Low educational attainment
• Unemployment and economic inactivity
• Living alone
• Area deprivation (with almost half occurring in Greater Belfast)
Risk factors vary by cause and sex, reinforcing the need for targeted, evidence-based interventions.
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