Treating the trauma behind drug addiction 'best bang for your buck'

The Oireachtas Committee on Drugs heard that the evidence suggests that between 60-80% of people with a substance misuse disorder have experienced trauma in their past. File photo

Treating trauma behind people’s drug addiction presents the “best bang for your buck” when tackling substance abuse, addiction counsellors have said.

James O’Shea, chair of Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI), said trauma runs through families “like a fire” but it can be treated. Appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs, Mr O’Shea said treatment of trauma has greater success than treatment of addiction, which, is more difficult, he believes.

“We are good in responding to addiction, there's been a huge improvement,” he said, “but we are in the early days for treating trauma”.

He said: “Trauma runs through families and whole generations of families like a fire. Addiction is difficult to treat, but trauma is treatable. PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder] can be treated and cured — it’s the best bang for your buck.” 

The Oireachtas drugs committee was established to examine the recommendations of the report of the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, which was published in January 2024.

Mr O'Shea said, historically, the approach is to stabilise addiction first before attempting to treat trauma, but said the “gold standard” internationally is to “treat them both”.

Sharon Lambert, senior lecturer in applied psychology at UCC, said the evidence suggests that between 60-80% of people with a substance misuse disorder have experienced trauma in their past.

Addiction and mental health services

Laura O'Reilly, vice chair of ACI, said people are “bounced back and forward” between different services, one for addiction and another for mental health.

Ms O’Reilly said the Government had set up the “Seeking Safety First” programme, piloted in 2024 and made permanent this year, which targets women experiencing the dual diagnosis of mental health difficulties and addiction, in addition to domestic and sexual gender-based violence.

She said there were seven sites, five in Dublin, and called for the programme to be resourced more so it can be expanded to more parts of the country.

Factors around addiction

Mr O’Shea said he would like to see a “centralised-led” initiative to improve and expand trauma treatment across HSE and voluntary addiction services. 

He said there was a need to invest heavily in “protective” factors, which should be particularly targeted at vulnerable families and communities.

Ms O’Reilly said she worked in a community drug service where they work with women who are pregnant and pre-school families. 

She said they look at parental issues, family factors and poverty that might expose the child to risk, such as drugs or mental health issues — but work with the family as a unit.

Ms Lambert said society must aim to "reduce social inequality" and also examine why so many young people were not participating in school. 

She suggested drug prevention in schools should be part of a broader wellbeing programme.