Alcohol remains Primary Drug of Choice

Alcohol remains the primary drug of choice for people seeking treatment at Tabor Group addiction services in Cork.

A number of addiction trends were revealed by the group at the launch of their 20165 annual report. It revealed that, of the 218 clients at Tabor Lodge — Primary Residential Treatment, 163 (75%) received treatment for alcohol abuse.

In addition to alcohol issues, Fellowship House Extended Treatment Centre for Men has seen a 10% increase in the use of heroin among its residents. That centre also reported a slightly younger age bracket presenting for treatment with the majority of men (58%) being in the 18-24 age group and 82% being under the age of 34.

The vast majority of men presenting for treatment are single, often with little family support with 90% have stated they are single.

Poly-drug use is common within the three treatment centres run by the Tabor Group. At Renewal Extended Treatment Centre for Women, addiction to alcohol alone is rarely seen and residents struggle with addictions to alcohol combined with ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, and various prescribed medication.

Across the three residential centres, 318 residents received treatment and thousands more were provided support.

Chairman of the Tabor Group, Pat Coughlan, said that alcohol was still the problem drug for Irish people

Read The Irish Examiner Article Here