Problems in Ballyfermot caused by alcohol show up at four times the national average
By Aura McMenamin
Problems with relationships, finances and vandalism caused by alcoholism in Ballyfermot are almost four times the national average, according to a local task force.
The Ballyfermot Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (LDATF) surveyed people in the area about problems caused by alcohol.
Their summer DTalk newsletter found that compared to the 7.3 per cent of people who reported having family or relationship problems caused by alcohol during the 2013 National Alcohol Survey, the figure was 28 per cent in Ballyfermot.
On the issue of vandalism, 11.3 per cent of people in Ballyfermot said they had suffered alcohol-related property vandalism, compared to 4.9 per cent nationally.
It was also found that alcohol use amongst older women was also on the rise, caused by a number of reasons.
The group’s research found that women of any age tend to drink alone, resulting in ‘hidden alcoholism’.
The problem arose in older women suffering from ‘empty nest syndrome’ – older women who resorted to alcoholism due to loneliness when their children left home.
However, empty nest syndrome does not explain alcoholism in younger women: “For younger women their alcohol-use pattern seemed very much connected to their domestic duties – a woman with children, will have her day revolve around keeping the house going, the children fed and watered.
“It’s almost like a reward at the end of the day, to have a drink – these women described it as their only time to themselves.”
The group found that women in Ballyfermot were often reluctant to access support services or even undergo regular health screenings, citing a lack of time for visits and ‘embarrassment’ around their alcohol misuse and health.
One woman who shared her experience said: “About three years ago, I’d just had a baby and was drinking more and more. I was becoming withdrawn and isolating myself from my family and friends.”
She said she was terrified of the judgement that would come with admitting she had a problem, as well as the risk of having her children removed from the home.
Eventually she sought help: “It was through a friend who recommended a place in Ballyfermot to go to for help.
“It’s made a huge difference. I’ve got back into education, I have a regular routine and my children are doing well and I’m no longer waiting for them to go to bed so I can drink alcohol – I’ve learned other ways of coping.”
