Ireland Witnesses Surge in Cocaine Addiction and Gambling Trends
A Wave of Addiction: Cocaine and Gambling on the Rise in Ireland
It seems that the land of the Shamrock is facing a new battle – a rising tide of cocaine and gambling addictions, according to reports from the Rutland Centre in Dublin, Ireland, and backed by data from mainstream media RTE.
In their 2023 annual report, the Rutland Centre unveiled a daunting discovery - a dramatic surge in the number of people seeking help for multiple addictions. The report suggested that 62% of the folks now seek treatment for more than one addiction, a marked increase from 48% in 2022. Notably, cases of poly-drug addiction have seen a sharp increase, with 20% of people battling three or more substances or behaviors.
The report strongly urged the need for more extensive and multi-faceted treatment for these complex cases, reflecting the intricacy of the issue. Interestingly, it was found that around 16% of users sought help for cocaine addiction, statistics that echo the findings of the Health Research Board (HRB).
The HRB reported a staggering 197% increase in powder cocaine use between 2017 and 2023, and a jaw-dropping 594% increase in crack cocaine during the same period. The HRB found that cocaine was the most common primary drug among new cases in 2023, accounting for almost half (46%) of new cases – a total of 4,923 cases.
Sailing Against the Tide of Dependency
The Rutland Centre pinpointed the creation of a dedicated cocaine addiction treatment resource as a vital objective. On the gambling front, 20% of ambulatory admissions at the Rutland Centre were for gambling addiction. In response, the centre intends to launch a specific ambulatory program for gambling to meet the growing demand.
Despite alcohol remaining the predominant addiction at the Rutland Centre, accounting for 65% of inpatients seeking help last year, the centre aims to broaden its services. The centre plans to inaugurate a detoxification unit and expand its ambulatory programs to reach more people, as per the centre's CEO, Maebh Mullany.
Ms. Mullany emphasized the urgent need for additional funding and capacity to help more people given the stark reality of prevalent dependency across Ireland. She also noted that the centre handles almost 16,000 calls a year, with the numbers for 2024 being on track to surpass the levels of 2023.
This report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted interventions to combat the growing trend of addiction in Ireland.
Apart from Ireland, the SiGMA Eastern European Conference, sponsored by Soft2Bet, is set to take place in Budapest from 2 – 4 September 2024. With several interesting news items to share, we delve into the latest developments across the gaming industry in Europe, including various events and the evolving iGaming landscape.
[1] Rutland Centre - https://rutlandcentre.ie/[2] Health Research Board (HRB) - https://www.hrb.ie/[3] Substance Misuse in Ireland Report (2023) - https://rutlandcentre.ie/wp-content/uploads/Rutland-Report-2023.pdf[4] RTE News - https://www.rte.ie/[5] Irish Times - https://www.irishtimes.com/
Trends in Cocaine Addiction: - Rutland Centre: Reported that about 16% of its service users were seeking help for cocaine addiction[2]. - Health Research Board (HRB): Found that cocaine use has dramatically increased, with powder cocaine rising by 197% between 2017 and 2023, and crack cocaine by 594%[5]. In 2023, cocaine was the most common main drug among new cases, accounting for nearly half (46%) of new cases[5].
Trends in Gambling Addiction: - Rutland Centre: Noted a significant increase in gambling addiction cases[3]. - Multiple Addictions: A broader trend of increasing multiple addictions, including both cocaine and gambling, with 62% of individuals now presenting with multiple addictions, up from 48% in 2022[5].
In Summary:The rising trends in cocaine and gambling addiction paint a grim picture in Ireland, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions and comprehensive treatment strategies to address these complex issues.
In response to the escalating addiction crisis in Ireland, the Rutland Centre has identified the creation of a dedicated cocaine addiction treatment resource as a vital objective, while also planning to launch a specific ambulatory program for gambling addiction to meet the growing demand. Moreover, mental health initiatives should also be integrated into these treatment strategies, given that 62% of the individuals now seeking help at the Rutland Centre have multiple addictions. The health-and-wellness sector in Ireland should take a holistic approach to combat the increasing trend of poly-drug addiction, including cocaine and gambling, to ensure the overall well-being and mental health of affected individuals.
