Record numbers contact HSE drug helpline with increase in calls about alcohol and cocaine

A record number of people are contacting the HSE’s Drugs and Alcohol Helpline with a large and consistent increase in calls about both alcohol and cocaine.

The latest annual report of the helpline, which also provides information about HIV and sexual health, shows that almost 6,000 calls were handled by the service in 2023.

A total of 5,983 contacts were logged – the highest annual total since the service began 28 years ago – which represented an annual increase of 18 per cent.

However, the level of contacts with the helpline service about alcohol and cocaine increased at an even faster rate.

There was also a record number of calls received concerning cannabis and benzodiazepines.

The report highlighted that 27 per cent of all cases in 2023 recorded the co-occurrence of substance use and mental health issues – up from 13 per cent the previous year.

In addition, it revealed that 91 per cent of callers were first time contacts of the service with approximately half of callers…

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