Saoirse Ronan explains 'it's expected' Irish men would have alcohol issues

Saoirse Ronan opens up about dealing with addiction in her life as she spreads awareness on the disorder following her latest movie role.

The 30-year-old is currently playing Rona in her latest movie called The Outrun. 

The movie follows Rona who attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. She returns to the wild beauty of Scotland's Orkney Islands where she grew up, hoping to heal.

Rona appears to battle with alcoholism and speaking in a Channel 4 News interview, Saoirse said: "Coming from Ireland, in previous generations it is unfortunately just expected that a lot of males would have an unhealthy amount of alcohol consumption. If a woman does the exact same thing then it's like they are going straight to hell so of course that converstation needs to change."

READ NEXT: One day only for charities to salvage Electric Picnic discarded tents

@c4news ‘It's something that I've been very familiar with and been on the receiving end of most of my life’ Saoirse Ronan’s new film ‘The Outrun’ follows a young woman's attempt to heal from a troubled past by returning to where she grew up. The Four-time Oscar nominee talks to Channel 4 News’s Scotland Correspondent, Kathryn Samson, about alcoholism and women. #SaoirseRonan #TheOutrun #EdinburghFestival #Alcoholism #women ♬ original sound - Channel 4 News

When asked if she knew someone in her life who was effected by the disorder, Ronan said: "I have, it is something I have been very familiar with and been on the receiving end of most of my life. That was another reason why eventually I think it was a topic that I wanted to explore in film. I think there is so much confusion when you have someone going through that struggle. Drink is so accessible and it is a particular substance we all build our lives around. Even though I don't feel fully forgiving, I feel like I understand it at a different angle now and it is an ongoing conversation you need to have."

Saoirse Una Ronan is an American-born Irish actress. Primarily known for her work in period dramas since adolescence, she has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for four Academy Awards and five British Academy Film Awards.

For more information on alcoholism see HERE.