Singapore study notes increase in struggle with alcohol abuse

A mental health study in Singapore has found that alcohol abuse is a growing problem in the country, with one in 24 people struggling with it, or 4.1% of the country’s entire population but sufferers are seeking treatment earlier.

The report was conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the Ministry of Health and Nanyang Technological University in 2016 following the first one in 2010, reported Straits Times.

The results released this week show that lower-educated men aged between 18 and 34 are more likely to struggle with alcohol use disorders.

However, the report noted that people suffer from alcohol abuse also sought treatment earlier, compared with results founds in 2010.

The median number of years they delayed treatment dropped from 13 years in 2010 to four years in 2016.

Encouragingly, the report found only 0.5% of Singapore’s population have alcohol dependence, a condition where a person suffers withdrawal symptoms and other complications after quitting alcohol.

The time for patients seeking help for alcohol dependence is faster as well, normally within one year.

In addition to alcohol abuse, the study found that depression and obsessive compulsive disorder are the top three mental disorders in Singapore.

The study surveyed 6,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 18 and above.