ALMOST 1,000 people accessed Coolmine’s addiction services in Cork and Kerry last year according to its end of year report.

While this represents a drop in overall presentations compared to 2024, engagement with family supports ‘increased significantly’ in 2025.

A total of 970 clients accessed services in the South West, with two thirds (66%) of those presenting at the West Cork hub in Enniskeane male, and 34% female.

Three quarters of those seeking help in West Cork presented for alcohol addiction (75%), with cocaine use accounting for 11%, cannabis 9%, benzodiazepines 4% and heroin 1%.

The alcohol figure in West Cork is almost three times higher than the national average, at 37%, though drug abuse figures are far lower in the region than the national averages.

Coolmine has six community-based hubs providing support for substance abuse in the South West region – two in Cork city, one in West Cork, one in East Cork, one in North Cork and one in Kerry.

End of year analysis shows evolving drug trends and what Coolmine describes as a ‘rising complexity of need’ among those seeking help.

Nationally, 3,282 people accessed addiction treatment and recovery support through Coolmine Therapeutic Community in 2025. Demand for services remains high and increasingly complex and has been described as ‘the new normal’ by the organisation.

During the year 492 families received dedicated support, alongside 192 members of the Traveller community, while 72 children were supported across residential and regional programmes.

The national combined total showed alcohol remained the most common substance at 37%, followed by cocaine at 34%, cannabis at 12%, benzodiazepines at 9% and heroin at 8%.

The analysis identifies a gradual decline in heroin use, and a growing proportion of women presenting with crack cocaine addiction.

Coolmine chief executive Pauline McKeown said the findings reflect both progress and ongoing challenges. ‘Demand remains extremely high and what we are seeing now is a new baseline for addiction treatment in Ireland,’ she said.

‘People are presenting with increasingly complex needs, which requires sustained investment, integrated care and accessible services nationwide.’

The East region recorded the highest demand with 1,827 people seeking help, and strong residential demand. Services in the Mid West supported 230 people, with 231 new referrals during the year.

For more visit www.coolmine.ie.