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A woman overcoming addiction shared her difficult experience of having to go through withdrawal alone in a bed and breakfast, due to the absence of inpatient addiction support in her local health trust. Katrina McGibbon, aged 46 and residing in Lurgan, County Armagh, began struggling with alcohol and drug dependency in her 30s. Her recovery efforts were hindered by the unavailability of a health-service-run rehabilitation unit within her region. This issue stems from the Southern Trust being the only health trust in Northern Ireland without an inpatient addiction rehabilitation centre, a situation critics have described as creating a “postcode lottery.”
According to McGibbon, after revealing her drug use to health professionals in 2020, she was referred to a community addiction team. However, she was given just a worksheet and sent home, leading her to search for inpatient help on her own. By a friend’s recommendation, she learned about Cuan Mhuire, a charity providing residential addiction rehabilitation in Newry, but was required to detox from substances beforehand. Consequently, she arranged accommodation in a rural bed and breakfast to manage withdrawal symptoms, which were severe. McGibbon recalled, “I was violently ill. I was sweating. I was cold. I was shaking. I was vomiting for about four or five days.” Despite a GP warning her about the risks of detoxing without medical supervision, she felt it was her only option. Afterward, she spent 12 weeks at Cuan Mhuire.
The Southern Trust acknowledged the lack of inpatient facilities but stated patients could be referred to units in other regions. They emphasized their focus on developing community-based addiction services and working alongside voluntary organizations. The trust explained that anyone needing inpatient rehabilitation first undergoes assessment by a community addiction team, and if hospital treatment is necessary, arrangements are made for admission to one of three regional inpatient units across other Northern Ireland health trusts. They assured that there is equal access to inpatient beds regardless of where a patient resides. Inpatient care typically offers continuous support, including detoxification, psychological assistance, therapeutic programs, and strategies to prevent relapse.
Campaigner Emma Metcalfe highlighted the challenges faced by people in County Armagh who must depend on the capacity of other trusts or pay for private placements. Metcalfe, who has endured her own difficult journey through addiction, launched a volunteer-led support group called Hand of Hope in May. The service provides peer support and organizes events aimed at those affected by addiction and their families, though she clarified it is not a replacement for NHS treatment facilities. She stated, “We won’t give up until there’s somewhere in Armagh for people to turn to and get well,” and called attention to the urgent need for accessible local services, especially for young people. The Southern Trust reiterated their commitment to addressing addiction through improving timely assessments, harm reduction, and psychological support, while collaborating with partners to enhance access and capacity in the system.
Katrina McGibbon has now been in recovery for over four years and speaks positively about her progress, crediting her time at Cuan Mhuire as pivotal. The charity is Ireland’s largest residential rehabilitation provider for addictions including drugs, alcohol, and gambling. It reported 425 admissions in 2024, with 40% of residents coming from the Southern Trust area. Manager Sheila Cronin expressed concern about rising addiction among young people, remarking that drug dealers have become more inventive in reaching this demographic. Cronin also described addiction services as “kind of the Cinderella service” due to insufficient attention and funding. McGibbon hopes to see inpatient treatment facilities established closer to home, which she considers essential to better support those battling addiction in her community
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