ADHD Ireland Addresses Oireachtas Committee as New Research Shows Correlation Between Drug Use and ADHD Amongst Adults in Ireland - 12/12/2025

ADHD Ireland addressed the Joint Committee on Drugs Use in Dáil Eireann yesterday to discuss new, groundbreaking research from Citywide and Trinity College Dublin which reveals that 51% of adults in drug treatment services screen for ADHD.ADHD Ireland is calling for urgent improvements in services for those with ADHD. The organisation is highlighting the serious impacts of undiagnosed ADHD, linking it to higher rates of substance use as part of an estimated €2 billion in annual socio-economic costs.Addressing the committee, Ken Kilbride CEO ADHD Ireland, emphasised the lifelong nature of ADHD and the system’s failure to cope with demand, “ADHD is a neurodivergence; it doesn’t disappear on your 18th birthday. With an estimated 160,000 to 170,000 adults with ADHD in Ireland (the vast majority undiagnosed) and 50% of all new referrals to HSE mental health services now for ADHD, our public services are completely overwhelmed. This can lead to critical human and financial consequences.”Ken Kilbride joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.