Long-term impact of Covid-19 on drug and alcohol addiction unclear, report warns

The 2020 MQI annual report said that for some, the pathway out of addiction was put on hold due to the pandemic.

Merchants Quay Ireland has warned it could take years before the impact of the pandemic on drug and alcohol use is fully known, with some people coming forward for help while others fell into addiction.

The 2020 MQI annual report said that for some, the pathway out of addiction was put on hold due to the pandemic, even as the organisation’s needle exchange service saw a 10% rise and a steady increase in the number of clients availing of opioid substitution therapy.