'Unprecedented rise' in demand for addiction treatment, report shows
The number of people seeking help from drug and alcohol treatment services surged in 2024, according to a new report.
Coolmine Therapeutic Community, Ireland’s national drug and alcohol treatment centre, published its annual report on Tuesday, highlighting a sharp rise in demand for addiction services across the country.
The organisation supported 3,293 people last year — a 35 per cent increase on 2023.
Of these, 1,396 women were supported - an 11 per cent year-on-year rise, which Coolmine says reflects “reduced barriers to treatment such as stigma, childcare, and domestic violence.”
52 children also entered women’s residential services with their mothers, and 365 parents completed the Parents Under Pressure (PuP) programme — a 28 per cent increase on 2023.
Pauline McKeown, chief executive of Coolmine Therapeutic Community, said the report shows Ireland is “witnessing an unprecedented rise" in people seeking help for addiction.
“This reflects both growing need and greater willingness to reach out for support,” she said.
Alcohol remains the most common substance for which people seek help, accounting for 35 per cent of all presentations so far in 2025 - down slightly from 37 per cent in 2024. Cocaine (32 per cent), cannabis (11 per cent), benzodiazepines (8 per cent), and heroin (7.5 per cent) followed.
Regional data shows alcohol dominates in the South-West (50 per cent) and Mid-West (31 per ecnt), while cocaine leads in the East (39 per cent).
Coolmine achieved a 74 per cent retention rate across residential services, with clients reporting significant improvements in health, housing, family relationships, and financial stability.
A total of 160 members of the Traveller community engaged with services in 2024 through “culturally sensitive" outreach and peer-led support.
