The latest Health Research Board (HRB) figures show 13,295 cases were treated for problem drug use in 2024. This is the highest annual number recorded to date and an increase of 191 cases compared to 2023.

According to Drug treatment demand in Ireland 2024, cocaine remains Ireland’s most common drug treated (excluding alcohol), accounting for 40% (5,289 cases) of all drug treatment cases in 2024, a 7% increase on 4,923 cases in 2023. Cocaine is also the main problem drug for almost half of cases who are new to treatment. However, in 2024, cocaine also accounted for one in three previously treated cases, the highest number recorded to date and an indication of the changing profile of users and how prevalent cocaine use has become in society.

Opioids (mainly heroin) were the second most common drug people sought treatment for, although the number seeking treatment for opioids has fallen for the second consecutive year. The third most common drug among treated cases was cannabis.

Cocaine trends over time (2017 – 2024)

Since 2017 there has been a 250% increase in cases receiving treatment for cocaine as their main problem drug. There has been a 300% increase in people returning for cocaine treatment as their main problem drug from 692 cases in 2017, to 2,764 cases in 2024. The number of females seeking treatment for cocaine has risen 426%, an increase from 284 cases in 2017 to 1,494 cases in 2024.

The report shows that the profile of people seeking treatment was different among powder and crack cocaine users. Where powder cocaine was the main problem drug, one in five cases were female, 39% were employed and the median age entering treatment was 32 years of age. Where crack cocaine was the main problem drug, almost half were female, 7% were employed and the median age entering treatment was 40.

Age and drug use

In 2024, cannabis was the main problem drug for cases aged 19 years or under; cocaine was the main problem drug for cases aged 20-44 years; opioids were the main problem drugs for cases aged 45 years or over. This highlights an aging cohort of opioid users continuing to require treatment.

Polydrug use (use of more than one drug)

• Polydrug use was reported in three in five treatment cases (60%) in 2024.
• Cannabis (40%) was the most common additional drug, followed by cocaine (37%), alcohol (36%) and benzodiazepines (30%). 
• The most common drugs used together were cocaine plus alcohol, followed by cocaine plus cannabis, followed by opioids plus cocaine.