Coolmine Therapeutic Community is a drug and alcohol treatment centre providing community, day, and residential services to men and women with problematic substance use in Ireland, and to their families. Established in 1973, Coolmine was founded on the philosophies of the therapeutic community approach to addiction treatment. This is primarily a self-help approach in which residents are responsible for their own recovery, with peers and staff acting as facilitators of change. Participants are expected to contribute to the general running of the community and to their own recovery by actively participating in educational activities and in group and individual therapy. At year-end 2023, Coolmine had 15 facilities and 22 satellite clinics operational across Ireland (Figure 1) and it provided treatment and recovery services to 2,523 individuals and their families. This represents a 6.5% increase on 2022. Programmes provided by Coolmine in 2023 are highlighted below.1

Contact, assessment and stabilisation services

Contact, assessment, and stabilisation services offer individuals a supportive entry point into Coolmine’s primary treatment programmes. Working closely with national agencies such as the Ana Liffey Drug Project, Merchants Quay Ireland, HSE Southwest addiction services, and Probation Services, Coolmine strives to ensure that everyone seeking help receives the necessary care and support. In 2023, Coolmine expanded its services in order to better reach Travellers, new community members, homeless clients, young people, and families. Services provided in 2023 included:

• National outreach and assessment for residential and community detox
• Outreach and assessment in the Irish Prison Service
• Assertive outreach for Travellers, new communities and homeless persons
• Satellite clinics in the Midwest and Southwest regions of Ireland
• Drop-in services
• Health Service Executive (HSE) Needle Exchange
• Groups stabilisation, programmes contingency management and community case management

Primary treatment services

Coolmine primary treatment services are built on the foundation of the Therapeutic Community model, which creates a safe and structured environment for healing and growth. Through educational activities, group and individual therapy, and a shared commitment to a drug-free life, clients are encouraged to make profound psychological and lifestyle changes. Services provided in 2023 included:

• Residential methadone detoxification placements
• Men’s residential service at Coolmine Lodge
• Mother and Child and Women’s residential services at Ashleigh House and Westbourne House
• Drug free day programmes
• Parents under pressure programme
• Young persons programme
• Community reinforcement and case management

Recovery services

Coolmine recovery services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, providing a range of supports that foster health, well-being, and long-term sobriety. Services provided in 2023 included:

• Medical services
• Health promotion
• Housing support
• Education and literacy support
• Career guidance
• Counselling/psychotherapy and psychiatric services
• Positive social activities programmes

In response to the rising number of individuals presenting with cocaine-related issues, Coolmine launched the Road to Recovery Cocaine Programme in 2022, a programme designed specifically to help people address their cocaine use. In 2023, 23% of all cases presenting to Coolmine were cocaine related, representing an increase from 18% in 2022. This rising trend, reflective of national statistics, prompted Coolmine, in collaboration with the HSE, to initiate this innovative 21-week programme in Cork; the programme has since been extended to Dublin.

Source: Coolmine Annual Report 2022

Figure 1: Coolmine services in Ireland, 2023

1         Coolmine (2024) Coolmine annual report 2023. Dublin: Coolmine. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/42067/