The country's largest private addiction rehabilitation centre has said that alcohol is still the leading addiction it deals with, although treatment for gambling addiction is rising among men.

According to the Rutland Centre in Dublin, alcohol was the number one drug of choice among 91% of those who attended in 2016, up from 87% in 2015.

Those aged 34-44 were the most frequently seen age group. The average age of clients was 43.

The centre noted that there was a decrease in the number of people presenting with multiple addictions. In 2015, this figure was 62%, but last year, it fell to 48%.

Among those attending last year, half had children and 41% were married or in a relationship. Some 58% were employed at the time of their treatment.

Overall, men were twice as likely to seek treatment than women.  

"Addiction can and does affect all types of families and communities - we need to challenge the perception that exists that addiction only happens to someone else because that will actually prevent a person or their family asking for help.

"If we can open up the conversation about addiction, and let people know that there is no judgement and that recovery is possible, then it may help more families who are currently living in situations from which they see no escape," commented Maebh Leahy, CEO of the Rutland Centre.

The figures were released at the launch of the centre's second annual Recovery Month, which runs throughout the month of September. The aim of this event is to provide families and communities with information and support structures to help them recover from addiction.

"Following our successful inaugural Recovery Month in 2016, this year's programme places a heavy emphasis on the pivotal role that relationships play in the treatment and sustained recovery of people in addiction.

"Our programme has been carefully planned in line with the Government's recently launched Drug and Alcohol Treatment Strategy which identifies women, the LGBT community and older adults as ‘at-risk' groups. The aim is to reach out to these groups and provide them with the support that they need to overcome addiction and live a life in recovery," Ms Leahy explained.

A series of free information events will take place during Recovery Month, and these will cover topics such as women in recovery, addiction and recovery in sport and recovery for families.

For more information on these events, click here