The Stanhope Centre has provided help to problem alcohol users, gamblers and their families since 1977. It is a dedicated HSE alcohol treatment facility for the northern area of Dublin and extends as far as Balbriggan. However, the catchment area for Barrymore Residential Programme, which is offered by the Stanhope Centre, includes the greater Dublin area and counties Kildare and Wicklow.

In recent years there has been a change in the type of client, with many now presenting with both problem alcohol use and a problem with other drugs. In 2013 the educational programmes were updated and extended to better meet the needs of the client population.

In 2013, 509 clients made contact with the centre, a small increase on 2012, and the demographic profile of the clients remained similar. Sixty-five per cent of clients were male and most (226, 45%) were aged between 35 and 50 years. In 2013, the majority of clients had previously attended the service. Owing to improved management of the waiting list, especially the implementation of a ‘call back’ procedure, the number of cancellations and ‘did not attend’ continued to be low – 7% of all appointments

The centre offers a range of outpatient programmes for clients with problem alcohol use with/without problem drug use, and also for family members of those with problem alcohol use. Individual counselling forms the therapeutic basis for clients’ engagement with the service. The therapeutic relationship begins with an assessment period and continues as a client moves through the stages of treatment (educational programmes, treatment programmes and aftercare).

Stanhope also offers the Barrymore Residential Programme, which runs for five and a half weeks and provides treatment and support for clients who meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependency with/without other problem drug use or gambling. The programme runs on average seven times a year. It includes group therapy, education and life-skills training. After completion, clients move on to a six-week relapse prevention group and to an afternoon or evening aftercare group. These groups give clients the opportunity to successfully navigate the early days of recovery following a residential programme. On average, the programme has 52 clients a year, of whom approximately 73% complete the programme. In 2013 the outcomes continued to be positive after completion, with half of clients who completed the residential programme also completing 26 weeks of aftercare.

For further information on the programmes offered by the Stanhope Alcohol Treatment Centre, see http://www.stanhopeservice.com

(Regina Bannigan, Senior Counsellor and Service Coordinator, Stanhope Centre, with assistance from Suzi Lyons, Health Research Board)