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Irish Post
31-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Post
Alcohol treatment cases reach highest levels in a decade as drug use surges in Ireland
THE NUMBER of people seeking help for alcohol-related issues in Ireland has hit a 10-year high, with a significant rise in those also using cocaine, according to newly released data. Over 8,700 cases of alcohol misuse were reported in the most recent year—a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The figures come from the Health Research Board's (HRB) latest National Drug Treatment Reporting System report. Each 'case' refers to a treatment episode, meaning one person could account for more than one case if treated multiple times. More than half of those treated had received help previously, while 44% were new to treatment services. Alarmingly, the number of people combining cocaine with alcohol has tripled since 2017—jumping from just over 600 cases to more than 1,800 in the past year. This reflects a 200% increase in just six years. While the total number of alcohol-related treatment cases has grown, the share of those classified as alcohol-dependent has dropped—from 72% in 2017 to 56% last year. Alcohol dependence is characterised by persistent and compulsive drinking behaviour despite serious health or social consequences. Dr. Suzi Lyons, a senior researcher at the HRB, welcomed the decrease in dependence rates as a sign that more individuals are getting help earlier, before reaching more severe stages of addiction. 'This shift means more people are entering treatment before their alcohol use escalates to dependency,' she explained. 'Early intervention tends to result in better recovery outcomes.' About one-third of those treated for alcohol issues last year also had problems with other substances. Cocaine was the most frequent companion drug, involved in 71% of these dual-substance cases—a sharp rise from 42% in 2017. Dr. Lyons expressed concern about the growing trend of polydrug use, especially the combination of alcohol and cocaine, which she described as a 'significant health risk.' 'Combining these substances increases toxicity and raises the chances of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, liver damage, aggressive behaviour, suicidal thoughts, and even sudden death,' she warned. Aside from cocaine, cannabis (49%), benzodiazepines (18%), and opioids (10%) were also commonly used alongside alcohol. The median age of those entering alcohol treatment was 43, and 60% were male. Many individuals reported drinking amounts in a single day that exceeded the recommended weekly limit. Nearly half were unemployed, and around 8% were homeless. Among those who drank in the 30 days prior to treatment, about half reported daily use. The average age at which individuals began drinking was 16. Dr. Mairéad O'Driscoll, CEO of the HRB, said alcohol remains the most common substance for which people seek treatment in Ireland, and the number continues to climb. She also noted the ongoing surge in cocaine use among alcohol users. In response to growing demand, Minister of State for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor is set to announce a boost in funding for alcohol treatment programs. This year, €1 million will be invested, increasing to €1.8 million in 2026. The funding will support the hiring of 22 new staff across the HSE's six health regions. Minister Murnane O'Connor emphasised the public health implications of the data: 'This report highlights the widespread impact of harmful drinking patterns and the importance of reducing alcohol use across society.' She also acknowledged the often overlooked harm to families: 'We must also address the hidden damage experienced by children living with adults who struggle with alcohol.' Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) responded to the findings by calling for better support for children impacted by parental drinking. According to AAI, two-thirds of women undergoing alcohol treatment are mothers living with at least one child. AAI Chair Sheila Gilheany described children affected by parental alcohol misuse as 'invisible victims' of addiction. 'This report makes clear the scale of the issue, with nearly half of all people in alcohol treatment living with children,' she said. 'In Ireland, one in three children lives in a home where a parent regularly binge drinks or is dependent on alcohol.'
Irish Times
31-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Alcohol-abuse treatment figures highest in over a decade, study finds
There were more than 8,000 treatment cases for alcohol abuse in Ireland last year, the highest figures in more than a decade, a new report shows. According to the Health Research Board (HRB), 8,745 cases were recorded in 2024, where a case refers to a treatment episode and not one person. This means the same person could be counted more than once in a calendar year. Nearly one in three cases had a problem with other drugs as well as alcohol. Forty-four per cent of those treated were new cases. Cocaine was the most common additional drug used alongside alcohol at 71 per cent, a marked increase from 42 per cent in 2017. On the increase of alcohol and cocaine being used together, HRB senior researcher Dr Suzi Lyons said this is 'a real concern'. 'Mixing substances complicates treatment, can hinder recovery and can also be dangerous,' Dr Lyons said. The mixture 'increases toxicity to big organs', putting users at greater risk of stroke, heart attack, liver damage, violent behaviour, suicidal thoughts and sudden death, she added. In 2024, polydrug use was reported by almost one-third of alcohol treatment cases. Polydrug use is the use of more than one drug or type of drug by an individual either at the same time or sequentially. After cocaine (71 per cent), the most common drugs used alongside alcohol were cannabis at 49 per cent, benzodiazepines at 18 per cent and opioids at 10 per cent. The proportion of alcohol-dependent treatment cases, decreased from 72 per cent in 2017 to 56 per cent last year. Dependent drinking involves a cluster of behavioural, cognitive and physiological symptoms. Typically, it includes a strong desire to consume alcohol, impaired control over its use and a higher priority given to drinking than to other activities and obligations. Since 2017, one in two of those who consumed alcohol in the 30 days before treatment drank daily according to the HRB. The median age of alcohol treatment cases is 43 years old, and the majority are male, at 60 per cent. The median age at which individuals began drinking was 16 years old. The study found both men and women drink more in a typical day than is recommended in a week. Almost half are unemployed, and 8 per cent are homeless. Since 2017, among those who consumed alcohol in the 30 days before treatment, one in two drank daily during this time. Coinciding with the report's findings, Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor announced a €1.8 million investment in alcohol-treatment services for 2026. The investment, which sees a rise from the €1 million allocated in 2025, will create 22 new posts for community alcohol services nationwide. Two new community services will be established in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Dublin and midlands and HSE Dublin and southeast regions. The funding will also facilitate the expansion of services in the HSE Dublin and northeast and HSE west and northwest regions. The HRB is the lead funding body for health research in Ireland.
Irish Examiner
31-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Alcohol and drug treatment cases jump almost 80% since 2017
Alcohol treatment cases have risen by almost 20% in the last seven years, official figures show. The number of alcohol cases presenting with additional problem drugs has increased even further, driven by a three-fold jump in cocaine. Health experts are very concerned at the combined use of alcohol and cocaine, saying the mixture of substances 'increases toxicity' to major organs and fuels violent behaviour and suicidal thoughts. Cocaine replaced cannabis in 2022 as the most common additional drug. The Health Research Board's (HRB) Alcohol Treatment Demand 2024 report reveals: 8,745 cases of alcohol treatment in 2024, compared to 7,350 in 2017 — up 19%; 6,166 of these cases involved just alcohol last year, compared to 5,898 — up 5%; 2,579 cases involved alcohol and an additional drug, compared to 1,452 in 2017 — a 78% increase; Of those taking additional drugs, the number taking cocaine has risen threefold, from 607 cases to 1,823 cases; In 10% of polydrug cases, people found it difficult to determine which was their main problem drug. 'The latest HRB report shows that alcohol remains the drug that most people seek treatment for in Ireland, and that numbers continue to rise,' the board's chief executive, Mairéad O'Driscoll, said. Suzi Lyons, a senior researcher at the board, said: 'The sustained rise in cases using cocaine with alcohol is a real concern. Mixing substances complicates treatment, can hinder recovery, and can also be dangerous. 'Alcohol and cocaine mixed together increases toxicity to major organs, leading to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, liver damage, violent behaviour, suicidal thoughts, sudden death, and many other negative consequences.' Secondary drug Polydrug use has risen from 19.8% in 2017 to 29.5% in 2024. While the proportion of cases citing cannabis as a secondary drug dropped over the period, the absolute number of cases rose by 44%, from 607 to 1,823. The typical age people first started drinking was 16, ranging from 12 to 22. The study found changes in the three categories of drinkers between 2017 and 2024, with a significant drop in those assessed as 'dependent' — from 72% to 56%. This resulted in a rise in those assessed as 'hazardous' drinkers, from 10% to 13%, and those labelled as 'harmful' drinkers, going from 16% to 26%. The report said almost 60% of cases had children, and that nearly two thirds of these had children under the age of 17. Sheila Gilheany, of Alcohol Action Ireland, said: 'About 600,000 people in Ireland show evidence of an alcohol use disorder (AUD), with 90,000 of those having a severe AUD problem. "However, the data released today shows there were only 8,745 cases — 44% of which were new cases — gaining access to alcohol treatment services last year, which is staggeringly low.' The minister of state for the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, said €1m was being spent in 2025, rising to €1.8m in 2026, on expanding alcohol treatment services — including two new community services.
RTÉ News
30-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Over 8,000 treatment cases for problem alcohol use in 2024
There were 8,745 treatment cases for problem alcohol use in Ireland last year according to the Health Research Board (HRB). It is the highest figure for alcohol treatment in over ten years according to the primary health and social care research funding agency. In 2024, nearly one in three cases had a problem with other drugs as well as alcohol. Cocaine was the most common additional drug used alongside alcohol at 71% The proportion reporting cocaine as an additional drug increased from 42% in 2017 to 71% in 2024. Since 2017, one in two of those who consumed alcohol in the 30 days prior to treatment, drank daily according to the HRB. However, the figures also show that between 2017 and 2024, the proportion of alcohol dependent treatment cases decreased from 72% to 56% While the latest report shows the highest number of cases recorded in Ireland's alcohol treatment figures in a decade, the decrease in dependent drinkers seeking treatment is positive according to Senior HRB Researcher Dr Suzi Lyons. "This is because we now know that more people are accessing treatment before they become alcohol dependent, which leads to better recovery and outcomes," she said. The median age of alcohol treatment cases is 43 years old, and the majority (60%) are male. Both men and women drink more in a typical day than is recommended in a week. Almost half are unemployed, and 8% are homeless. The report says two out of three women in treatment are living with at least one child. Alcohol Action Ireland - the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm - has said children are the invisible victims of alcohol harm. It has reiterated its call for the implementation of Operation Encompass, an early information sharing partnership between gardaí and schools in instances of domestic violence. In 2024, polydrug use was reported by almost one third of alcohol treatment cases. After cocaine (71%) , the most common additional drugs used alongside alcohol were cannabis at 49%; benzodiazepines at 18%; and opioids at 10%. Earlier this week, the rehabilitation facility, the Rutland Centre, said women represented one of the fastest growing groups seeking treatment for cocaine and there had been "a surge" in complex, multi-addiction cases last year.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Half of homeless women who died from drug-related causes had history of mental health issues
Half of homeless women who died from drug-related causes in 2021 had a known history of mental health issues, compared to 30% of homeless men, according to a new report. The study also found the typical age of the homeless women was significantly lower than men — 37 compared to 44. The Health Research Board said there were 128 drug-related deaths involving homeless people in 2021, which it described as 'premature and preventable'. Some 61 of the deaths were poisonings (or overdoses) and 67 were non-poisoning deaths (medical causes and traumatic deaths). A fifth of all deaths (27) involved people who had been born outside Ireland, mainly from Eastern European countries. In relation to poisonings, 20% of the people who died had children and 15% had been in prison at some stage. The HRB report examined deaths among homeless people using data from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index — which, to date, has examined inquest files up to 2021. It found: 83 of the 128 deaths (65%) were homeless people sleeping in temporary or crisis accommodation, while 30 (24%) were sleeping rough 80% of the deaths involved males Heroin was the most common drug used (63%), followed by cocaine (55%) and benzodiazepines (29.5%) In relation to poisoning deaths, the most common drug groups were opioids — such as heroin and methadone (82%), benzodiazepines (69%), alcohol (38%) and cocaine (36%); Methadone — the legal treatment substitute for heroin — was the most common single drug implicated in poisonings (53%), but was implicated in almost twice the number of deaths among women (85% compared to 44% among men) The report said that medical causes accounted for 70% of the non-poisoning deaths, mostly heart issues. Trauma accounted for 20 deaths (30%). Of these seven were suicides while 13 were from other trauma, such as assault, stabbing, fall or drownings. Overall a third of all fatalities involved people who had a 'known history' of mental health issues — 29% of males and 52% of females. About 80% of these people — including all the women — were in contact with medical services. Typically ages of death ranged from 25 to 77 among women and 26 to 60 among men. Almost 60% of the deaths occurred in Dublin city and county, while 9% (11 deaths) were in Cork city and county. Dr Suzi Lyons, Senior Researcher at the HRB and co-author the report, said: 'Problem substance use and mental health conditions remain some of the key health challenges for people who are homeless, with the majority of those who died dealing with one or both of these issues at the time of their death. "Misuse of more than one drug or substance significantly increases the risk of fatal overdose, which is clear in the number of polysubstance deaths.' The report also examined the three years between 2019 and 2021 and said the number of deaths increased by 36% over that period, with the highest increase between 2019 and 2020. But it cautioned that these increases occurred during covid-19 and that any interpretation of the increase 'must be considered' in that context. Read More Government must introduce new support models to take people out of homelessness, charity warns
