Alcohol remains the drug of choice – but cocaine and heroin use on the rise.
Seven in ten people seeking help for addiction at Tabor Group in 2017 were for alcohol-related problems, while one in five sought treatment for cocaine or heroin abuse.
Cannabis has fallen in popularity, while opiate/heroin abuse is on the rise – according to figures released as part of Tabor Group’s Annual Report 2017. The numbers seeking help for gambling has more than doubled in the past year and issues with food remains high; particularly among female patients, at 30%.
Tabor Group launched their 2017 Annual Report during the County Mayor’s visit to the redeveloped men’s extended treatment centre at Fellowship House, Spur Hill, Cork, part of the Tabor Group, on June 6.
Chairman of Tabor Group, Denis Healy said: “Across Tabor Group’s three residential centres, over 300 people accessed treatment last year and alcohol addiction continues to remain the number one issue.
“However, we are seeing the patient profile changing, with mental health challenges and a history of childhood trauma becoming more evident.”
Pictured, L-R, Bertie Pope – Bertie Pope Architects; Niall O’Connor – Bertie Pope Architects; Finbarr Cassidy – Treatment Manager Fellowship House; Tom O’Dwyer – Interim CEO Tabor Group; Susan Mackessy, Senior Executive Office, Cork County Council; Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Declan Hurley; Denis Healy – Chairman Tabor Group; Mick Devine – Clinical Director Tabor Group.
Of the 213 people who accessed treatment at Tabor Lodge (Tabor Group’s 28 Day Residential Treatment Programme) – the main reasons for referral were alcohol (65%), substance abuse (30%), gambling (5%) and food (1%).
Mr Healy added: “The patterns that we have seen over the last number of years continued throughout 2017 with high numbers of clients presenting with poly-drug use and dual diagnosis of mental illnesses.”
Patients presenting with heroin/opiate addiction has almost doubled since 2016 from 5-8%; while cocaine use has almost trebled from 4-11%.
In addition to alcohol issues, Fellowship House Extended Treatment Centre for Men saw a 9% increase in the use of heroin among its 49 residents in 2017. The age profile has also changed significantly since 2016, showing that 43% of clients are 18-24 and 31% are 25-44. The biggest change is that more men in the 35-44 age group are seeking treatment – up 20% to 22%, since 2016.
Homelessness and unemployment are major issues with the men receiving extended treatment, with 92% unemployed and 63% reporting that they are homeless.
At Renewal Extended Treatment Centre for Women, 100% of clients cite alcohol as a drug of choice but addiction to alcohol alone is rarely seen; with large numbers reporting combined issues with ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, heroin and prescribed medication.
Photography By: Brian Lougheed
