Charity develops recovery programme in Cork to combat surge in cocaine addiction

Coolmine has also established several new clinics in some of Cork’s largest county towns, and a new family service for parents struggling with addiction issues

Coolmine said there was a 5% increase in the numbers seeking help for cocaine addiction. File photo: Steve Parsons/PA

Cocaine addiction is on the rise, new figures from a national addiction charity show.

Alcohol and drug treatment charity Coolmine has reported a 28% increase in the number of people who accessed its services in the Cork region alone in 2023 — up from 843 in 2022 to 1,079.

Most were men, accounting for 68%, with 32% female. Nearly half (46%) sought help for alcohol-related addiction issues.

But there was a 5% increase in the numbers seeking help for cocaine addiction, which accounted for 23% of Coolmine's presentations in 2023. Support for alcohol dependency is still the main treatment provided but cocaine is now the second biggest addiction issue, the charity said.

The trends have led to the development of a new cocaine recovery programme in its south west region, the establishment of several new clinics in some of Cork’s largest county towns, and the creation of a new family service for parents struggling with addiction issues.

Coolmine's developed its new 21-week ‘road to recovery’ cocaine programme in the Cork region, in collaboration with the HSE, in response to the cocaine trends.

It takes a lifestyle approach to recovery and builds in psychoeducation, physical exercise, social support, and individual goal setting, which encourages participants to build their skills, knowledge, and their physical fitness, to work towards the overall goal of climbing Carrauntoohil.

Coolmine has also worked with the HSE to develop a new family-based service in Blackpool, Cork, to support parents in addiction after figures showed that 56% of its clients in the region in 2022 had children aged 18 and under.

While the charity’s community-based services in the region include centres in Mallow, in East Cork, West Cork, and two hubs in Cork City — one northside, one southside — it has also set up satellite clinics in towns including Fermoy, Bantry and Youghal.

Coolmine’s manager in the south west, Brian Duncan, encouraged anyone facing addiction to seek out Coolmine’s supports. “Support is available and it’s never too late to turn things around," he said.

“Our clients are real people who have rebuilt relationships with their children and families; their lives are healthier than they have been for many years and the future is exciting.”