It’s Official: Ireland Has The Highest Level Of Pre-Drinking Out Of 25 Countries

Let's be brutally honest here, the latest results from the Drug and Alcohol Review survey that shows Ireland tops 25 other countries when it comes to levels of pre-drinking isn't all that surprising.

The study, which concluded that "pre-drinking appears to be a worldwide phenomenon", shows that Ireland had the highest percentage of pre-drinkers (85.4%), waaaaay ahead of the Greece which came in at the lowest (17.7%).

Over 65,000 people were surveyed, and the study aimed to estimate the percentage of pre-drinkers in different countries and how the price of alcohol and the prevalence of heavy drinkers tied into pre-drinking.

The survey determined that the higher percentage of pre-drinkers was connected with the higher prevalence of heavy drinkers in general, and worryingly, Ireland ranked fourth out of the 25 countries for heavy drinkers.

Conor Cullen, Head of Communications and Advocacy from Alcohol Ireland said that: "The worrying aspect of these findings is not where people are drinking, but the manner and quantity of their alcohol consumption."

Speaking about pre-drinking itself, he said that pre-drinking is simply part of an exercise in drinking to get drunk and it is particularly popular among younger age groups as it can be achieved very cheaply.

Mr Cullen also said that, as the survey highlights, this type of drinking carries a much greater risk of negative alcohol-related consequences, including drink-driving accidents, fighting, self-harm, and suicide.

Learn more at Alcohol Ireland.