New Athlone addiction service launched amid rise in gambling issues

Athlone, Co. Westmeath, has launched a new outpatient addiction service to meet the growing demand for treatment, particularly from individuals struggling with gambling addiction in the western regions of Ireland. The Rutland Centre, already operating a specialist service in Dublin, is expanding its reach with this second outpatient unit, aiming to make treatment more accessible for those who previously faced long journeys.

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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, the treatment coordinator for the Athlone program, highlighted the necessity of the new facility. "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," he stated. The Athlone service will provide funded treatment places specifically for gambling and gaming addiction, addressing a critical need as The Rutland Centre runs Ireland's only dedicated gambling addiction treatment service.

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The mortality rate of somebody in gambling addiction is six to eight times higher than somebody in an alcohol or cocaine addiction.

The severity of gambling addiction is underscored by its high mortality rate, which Mr. Fitzharris noted is six to eight times higher than that of alcohol or cocaine addiction. This addiction carries an "elevated risk of suicidal ideation and attempts," alongside potential financial ruin, despair, chronic stress leading to cardiovascular issues, and a high prevalence of co-occurring mental health problems.

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There's a really elevated risk of suicidal ideation and attempts.

According to a 2023 ESRI study, 3.3% of Irish adults suffer from problem gambling, with individuals spending over €1,000 monthly. The study also revealed that nearly two-thirds of Irish adults first gambled before the age of 18, indicating a significant issue with early exposure. The increasing availability of gambling products, described by Mr. Fitzharris as "like having a bookies in your pocket," coupled with new phenomena like cryptocurrencies and online casinos, is exacerbating the problem. Maebh Mullaney, CEO of The Rutland Centre, stressed the importance of regulatory oversight in this rapidly evolving industry and expressed hope for the Social Impact Fund, introduced in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, to bolster prevention and treatment efforts.

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access [to gambling products] is a huge issue