Addiction Counsellors of Ireland

06/10/2026

💨 How do the health risks of va**ng compare with smoking?

With va**ng and ni****ne use continuing to raise concerns, particularly among younger people, TheJournal.ie takes a closer look at what the current evidence tells us – and where uncertainties remain.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.thejournal.ie/factcheck-va**ng-worse-smoking-cigarettes-7156908-Sep2026/

05/10/2026

⚠️ A recent series of suspected overdoses at Midlands Prison highlights the serious risks associated with drug use in custodial settings. It also reinforces the importance of access to appropriate addiction treatment, harm reduction and recovery supports.

🔗 Read more via RTÉ News: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0919/1592204-midlands-prison-overdoses/

29/09/2026

📩 ACI Members – Check Your Inbox!

Our Autumn Update has landed, with the latest news from ACI, upcoming events and CPD, sector developments, and opportunities to get involved.

We hope you find it useful – and, as always, thank you for being part of the ACI community 💜

28/09/2026

🌱 As Recovery Month draws to a close, Sean Kinsella LivedExperience story is a powerful reminder of what recovery can make possible.

Sean joined us as a guest speaker at an ACI Connect session last year, sharing openly with members about his lived experience of addiction, homelessness and recovery.

Recovery does not follow one path. It can take time, support, opportunity and people who continue to see the person beyond the addiction 🙏

🔗 Sean’s story on RTÉ News: https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0924/1592740-sean-kinsella-feature/

25/09/2026

💬What role does drug prevention education play in Irish schools?

Read More 👉

Health Research Board research said there was no data available on the extent to which the Social Personal Health Education is 'actually delivered'

23/09/2026

September is Recovery Month 💜

SURF - Substance Use Regional Forum has marked Recovery Month with events throughout Kildare. As part of this the Kildare Nationalist shared the stories of Emma and Jake, who are rebuilding their lives through the DARA Project.

Their experiences of addiction are different, but both describe recovery as a process of finding support, building connections and discovering new possibilities.

Their message is clear: recovery is possible, and support makes a difference.

Read More 👉 https://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/news/addiction-recovery-is-possible-kildare-service-users-share-experiences_arid-110522.html

22/09/2026

📋 A recent Irish Times article examines the debate around CORU’s proposed standards for counsellors and psychotherapists, including professional training, personal therapy and supervision.

📖 Read article (subscription may be required): https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-wellness/2026/09/15/should-therapists-be-in-therapy-unpacking-the-rift-over-psychotherapy-standards-in-ireland/

ACI continues to contribute to this national discussion, emphasising personal development, structured clinical supervision and recognition of the specialist expertise involved in addiction counselling.

🔗 ACI’s response to the CORU consultation: https://addictioncounsellors.ie/response-to-coru/

Training of psychotherapists is a matter of ongoing dispute between professionals and Coru, the State’s health regulator

22/09/2026

🎟️ ACI members, have you registered yet?

Email the ACI office at [email protected] to receive the registration link.

Online Event - Healing From The Traumas Of Alcohol Harm (03/10/26)

Event organised jointly by the IACP and Alcohol Action Ireland.

The webinar will bring together practitioners to explore supporting those affected by alcohol-related harm within the family.

Bookings are open to IACP, ICP, IAHIP and ACI Members.

This is a booking link below for IACP Members only.

Book and see the full event programme here: https://iacp.ie/events/1574/online-event-healing-from-the-traumas-of-alcohol-harm-03-10-26

21/09/2026

👏🏻The Dual Diagnosis Programme for Cork was officially launched at Heron House by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler, marking an important development in the delivery of integrated mental health and addiction services.

The HSE South West programme is the first service in Ireland to operate under the National Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, providing specialist, multidisciplinary support for people experiencing both mental health difficulties and substance use disorders.

📃Read More: https://www.imt.ie/news/minister-mary-butler-opens-dual-diagnosis-programme-in-cork-08-09-2026/

20/09/2026

📈At the European Society for Prevention Research conference 2026, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O Connor TD launched the 'Review of Prevention Systems in Ireland.'

The report assesses Ireland’s drug and alcohol prevention system. It identifies important strengths, while highlighting that prevention remains fragmented, uneven and insufficiently coordinated.

Commissioned by the Roinn Sláinte, Department of Health, the Health Research Board (HRB), and developed in collaboration with the UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, it assesses Ireland’s approach against the UNODC/WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention.

📄 Read the Report:
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/28535737/Review_of_Prevention_Systems_RePS_in_Ireland_-_Based_on_the_UNODCWHO_International_Standards_on_Drug_Use_Prevention.pdf