Dundalk's Turas centre launches new cocaine programme

Dundalk based addiction support service Turas is now offering a range of supports specifically aimed at supporting people with cocaine addiction.

With funding from the HSE the organisation is able to offer a range of new supports to people experiencing cocaine addiction from their centre on Clanbrassil Street.

Cocaine is a very prevalent drug with Ireland ranking the 4th highest consumers of the drug globally, based on 2021 research from the UN which found that one in forty people living in Ireland had reported using cocaine in the previous year. 

40% of Turas clients in 2023 reported using cocaine and many more use cocaine with other substances and they say it is therefore difficult to extract explicit numbers.

“Cocaine has become a very prevalent drug among our client group and we are delighted to offer a broad programme of talking and body therapies to people in Dundalk and surrounds. 

“The programme includes Somatic body therapy, The Rosen Method, art and drama therapy, a cocaine therapy group and one-to-one counselling.  

“The aim of the programme is to encourage more awareness of the relationship between body and mind in order to support clients in attuning to self-healing within their own bodies,” said Turas Manager, Nicki Jordan.

“Through developing this body mind awareness, clients will learn to regulate themselves which supports their desire to abstain from substances. 

“It will encourage clients to connect in with their sense of aliveness in the world, creativity within themselves and will enhance their ability to develop deeper relationships and a more fulfilling life, no longer feeling the need for substances,” she concluded.

There are a wide range of negative physical and emotional symptoms related to cocaine consumption including depression, anxiety, mood swings, violence, hypertension, delusions etc. 

Turas encourages anyone experiencing cocaine addiction to contact them ASAP as their new group starts on February 21st and will run for 8 weeks from 6-7:30pm.

The group will be the basis of the programme and in order to participate in other elements it will be important to attend the group.

Turas can be contacted via their website Turascounselling.ie, by calling 042 9338221, or emailing info@turascounselling.ie