Tabor Group 2016 Annual Report launched by Lord Mayor of Cork

Announcing the publication today 8t June 2017 of Tabor Group’s Annual Report at Cork City Hall, Pat Coughlan, Chairman, said alcohol continued to remain the ‘drug of choice’ in 2016 with seven out of ten people seeking help for alcohol related problems at Tabor Group.

Across Tabor Group’s three residential centres, over 300 people accessed treatment for addiction. Of the 204 people who accessed treatment at Tabor Lodge (Tabor Group’s 28 Day Residential Treatment Programme), 148 (73%) of admissions were for alcohol related problems. Mr Coughlan went on to add “The patterns that we have seen over the last number of years continued throughout 2016 with high numbers of clients presenting with poly-drug use and dual diagnosis of mental illnesses.

New figures compiled by Tabor Group in their 2016 Annual Report, reveal that 73% of all clients presented with alcohol related problems. 64% of all clients were referred by either a family member or friend and 95% of all clients successfully completed their residential treatment programme.

A variety of agencies refer clients to Tabor Lodge, as in previous years, the majority of those admitted for treatment self-presented. However, 2016 saw an increase in GP influence in those seeking help with addiction, GP’s directly referred 9% of clients to Tabor Lodge and a further 11% of clients, reported their GP recommending they attend Tabor Lodge. The Annual Report statistics also reveal that 93% of clients are living in stable accommodation and 34% are living with a family member.

Pat Coughlan, Chairman, added “the typical alcoholic client who came to our services when we first opened our doors in 1989 is rare today.  Our society has moved on and technology has become an enabler for addictions to a much broader population, of all ages.  On line access to illicit drugs and gambling are having significant impacts on our most vulnerable citizens.  However, alcohol still remains the most prominent drug in Ireland with devastating and destructive consequences throughout our society.”

In addition to alcohol issues, Fellowship House (Tabor Group’s Extended Treatment Centre for Men) has continued to see an increase in the use of cocaine and heroin among its residents. Reporting a continued increase (9%) of 18-24 years olds presenting for treatment. The majority of men (94%) being under the age of 34, a 12% increase from 2015. For the second year running, there was an increase in the reporting of abuse in the past year, rising from 61% to 64% in 2016.

The annual report also stated, poly drug use is common within the 3 treatment centres. 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. 44% of the women in treatment at Renewal had dependent children and staff work with Family Services and social workers to help repair and rebuild familial relationships.

At the end of 2016, Tabor Group’s €4.8 million application for the redevelopment of Fellowship House at Spur Hill, Togher, Cork was confirmed. Work has already commenced on this new state of the art facility and it is expected to be completed early 2018. This new facility will increase capacity from 10 residents to 16, with an additional 15 units of accommodation for men who have completed Fellowship House Treatment Programme but require a ‘Step Down’ model of independent living while having access to ongoing support and care.

Alcohol harm in Ireland currently claims three lives a day and is also responsible for a huge burden of ill-health, putting a particular strain on our health services, where 1,500 beds are occupied by people with alcohol-related illnesses every night, at an estimated cost of €1.5 billion annually. There are 176,00 alcohol dependent people in Ireland and one in eleven children say they are negatively impacted by parental drinking.

Alcohol addiction continues to have a serious and detrimental effect on Irish society. The National Drugs Strategy is currently being reviewed, the continued prevalence of alcohol addiction in Ireland highlights the need that a national treatment infrastructure urgently needs to be put in place.

Tabor Group Board & Management with Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Des Cahill at the Launch of their 2016 Annual Report

Ends

Notes to Editor

For more information on Tabor Group and 2016 Annual Report, please call Sharon O’Donoghue Marketing & Communications Manager, Tabor Group 086 3800 991 Email sharon@medialife.ie or visit http://www.taborgroup.ie/

Photographer: John Allan Photography086 216 2990 johnallenimages@gmail.com

Tabor Group is a leading provider of residential addiction treatment services in Ireland. Offering hope, healing and recovery to addicted people and their families through an integrated and caring service. We provide support and care to hundreds of clients each year suffering from addictions to alcohol, substances, gambling and food.

Tabor Group is comprised of three residential addiction treatment centres in Cork: Tabor Lodge, Renewal and Fellowship House. Tabor Lodge first opened in 1989 and began providing treatment for people suffering with alcohol misuse. Since then, the services have grown to three centres providing support and care to people suffering with addictions to alcohol, substances, gambling and food.

Tabor Group facilities include:

• Tabor Lodge – Residential Treatment Centre
• Renewal – Extended Residential Treatment Centre for Women
• Fellowship House – Extended Residential Centre for Men

Tabor Lodge – Primary Residential Addiction Treatment Centre

Tabor Lodge is a residential addiction treatment centre. Treatment at Tabor Lodge is available to men and women over 18 years of age who are suffering with addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling or food. Our 28-day programme consists of one-to-one counselling, group therapy, education, meditation, and nature walks.

Fellowship House & Renewal – Extended Treatment Centres

The extended treatment programme at Fellowship House and Renewal helps identify in-depth barriers to on-going recovery and relapse prevention. Our extended treatment programme provides an added layer of rehabilitative treatment, as it focuses on imparting critical relapse prevention tools. The programme is abstinence based, and built on the 12-Step foundation. Treatment includes extensive relapse prevention therapy and a strong focus on family and other relationships. Issues related to stigma, accountability, managing high-risk social situations and preparing for a return to work, are all incorporated into treatment.

The aim of the extended treatment programme at Fellowship House and Renewal is to build on, and consolidate the work of recovery which has already begun in Primary Treatment.