Portugal alcohol dependency nearly quadruples in a decade

Alcohol dependency in Portugal has nearly quadrupled over the last decade, yet only 20% of affected individuals are currently receiving treatment, according to the Institute for Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (ICAD).

Joana Teixeira, president of ICAD, stated that the country has struggled to implement necessary measures to control consumption prevalence and provide adequate medical responses. She emphasized that Portugal has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption prevalence, making the gap between those with dependency issues and those accessing specialized units a grave concern.

In response to the rising demand for alcohol-related services, ICAD is prioritizing the reinforcement of alcoholology units. The institute aims to improve early detection and streamline the referral process to ensure patients receive appropriate, individualized care rather than a standard model applied to all.