The Coolmine Therapeutic Community (CTC) annual report for 2012 was launched by Matt Cooper on 14 October 2013.¹ It contains information relating to services, statistics, strategic partners, funders and supporters, as well as a financial statement.

The report pays tribute to Mr Paul Conlon, CEO of Coolmine in the years 2004–2012, and highlights some of the  organisation’s achievements in 2012. The clinical team was enhanced with the appointment of a second full-time nurse, thanks to funding from the Baxter International Foundation; in addition, an organisational case manager and two psychotherapist counsellors were appointed.

A  step-down programme was commenced to better support clients after residential treatment as they transition to wider community living. The family support services were strengthened through the introduction of the community reinforcement approach and family therapy programmes (CRAFT). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention programmes (MBRP) were piloted and implemented.  

In 2012 Coolmine worked with over 1,000 individuals:

• The outreach team worked with 809 clients spanning both residential and day programmes.
• The drug-free day programme worked with 48 clients.
• 37 clients accessed the welcome programme.
• The women’s residential service at Ashleigh House admitted 56 women, of whom 19 had their children permanently on site;  19 women completed a methadone detoxification programme.
• The men’s residential service at Coolmine Lodge admitted 120 men, of whom 12 completed a methadone detoxification programme.
• Family support services provided supports to 122 family members.
• 244 clients secured housing, including emergency, transitional, private, step-down and supported long-term accommodation.
• 155 clients were supported by the career guidance service.
• 65 clients were worked with in the new contingency management programme.

Coolmine’s Strategic plan 2012–2015,² launched in May 2012, outlines the service’s priorities for the next three to four years, including:

• Further refinements with respect to the length of stay and capacity within the residential programmes.
• Greater co-operation and formal service-level agreements with other service providers.
• Expansion of the detoxification capacity to include community-based alcohol detoxification.
• Development and provision of evidence-based alcohol awareness and mindfulness-based relapse prevention programmes.
• Completion and publication of the longitudinal research outcome study.
• Publication and dissemination of papers resulting from action research projects focusing on the implementation and integration of evidence-based treatments.

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1. Coolmine Therapeutic Community (2013) From dependence to independence: annual report 2012. Dublin: Coolmine Therapeutic Community. www.drugsandalcohol.ie/20706
2. Coolmine Therapeutic Community (2012) Strategic plan 2012–2015. Dublin: Coolmine Therapeutic Community. www.drugsandalcohol.ie/17610