A new outpatient addiction service unit has been launched in order to tackle the demand for treatment from the west of Ireland, especially those are struggling with gambling addiction.
This service was launched in Athlone, Co Westmeath, and is the second outpatient service launched alongside the Rutland Centre, which also runs a specialist addiction treatment service in Knocklyon in Dublin. At present, the Rutland Centre was Ireland's only dedicated gambling addiction treatment centre.
This latest service was set up to meet the growing demand for people who had been previously required to take lengthy journeys to Dublin to seek treatment for gambling addiction.
"For too long, we've had to turn away people who desperately wanted treatment because travelling to Dublin twice a week simply wasn't practical", Karl Fitzharris, treatment co ordinator for the new Athlone programme said. (Quotes according to RTÉ).
The services in Athlone will also provide funded treatment places for gambling and gaming addiction.
Mr Fitzharris said: "What we were recognising is that people from much further afield over to the west of the country were coming to access the outpatients programme that we have here".
Gambling has the highest rate of mortality of any treated addiction. According to a 2023 study from the ESRI, one in 30 Irish adults (3.3%) suffer from problem gambling, with people who suffer, spending more than €1,000 per month on gambling.
"The mortality rate of somebody in gambling addiction is six to eight times higher than somebody in an alcohol or cocaine addiction", Mr Fitzharris added.
He continued: "There's a really elevated risk of suicidal ideation and attempts".
"It can lead to financial ruin, leading to despair and hopelessness", he added. "There's chronic stress, which can result in cardiovascular issues.
"And there's a huge rate of co-occurring mental health issues".
Last year, it was found that 14% of Rutland patients had a primary gambling addiction, with Mr Fitzharris saying that "access [to gambling products] is a huge issue".
"It's like having a bookies in your pocket".
Despite the Rutlands Centre only treating adults, most say that they have started placing bets before they turn 18 years of age.
