The Department of Health has announced funding of €426,000 to support the development of an online tool to help people reduce their use of alcohol and other drugs through evidence based behavioural change techniques, interactive exercises and support.
The two-year project has received the funding through the Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund and is led by HSE Health and Wellbeing. The investment will support the implementation and evaluation of an innovative digital behaviour change tool that will support people to reduce harms associated with alcohol and drug use.
The confidential online tool is designed to help individuals reduce or stop their use of alcohol and drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA. It will provide evidence-based behaviour change supports that users can access privately and at a time that suits them. The tool aims to address barriers that can prevent people from seeking support, including stigma, shame, geographic isolation, time constraints and waiting times for services.
The intervention was originally developed by the Belgian charity De Druglijn and has been adapted for use in Ireland. The Irish version is being tailored to ensure it reflects the Irish health and social care context and meets the needs of people who may benefit from support to change their substance use.
In a statement to Pulse+IT, a spokesperson for the HSE said the project is currently in the development and adaptation phase. “Governance structures are in place, including a national steering group with representation from statutory, community and voluntary sector stakeholders, as well as international expertise in digital health and behaviour change. A Reference Group comprising subject matter experts, civil society organisations and people with lived and living experience is also informing the development of the tool.”
The HSE expects to launch the tool through a dedicated website in late 2026. Following the launch, the intervention will be evaluated by a team led by the University of Limerick, working in collaboration with HSE user experience (UX) researchers. The evaluation will examine user engagement, retention, changes in substance use behaviours, user satisfaction, trust and health outcomes.
Subject to positive evaluation findings, the tool will be considered for longer-term implementation and wider availability across the population.
The funding announcement comes as the Health Research Board published alcohol treatment data for 2025. Last year, the number of people who received treatment reached 8,798 cases, the highest figure to date. When combined with the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) treatment figures for drug use in 2025, the total number of recorded episodes for drug and alcohol treatment comes to 24,220 cases. This represents a 10 per cent increase on 2024. Almost one in three cases required treatment for polydrug use.
The HSE currently offers a number of online resources to support responsible alcohol consumption, including a self-assessment tool and a drinks calculator, along with practical self-help techniques to deal with carvings. As well as providing information on the effects of alcohol on physical and mental health, there is also guidance for parents on how to talk to children about alcohol. People living with another person’s alcohol misuse can access a registry of support services, as well as advice on how to talk to someone about their problem drinking and specific guidance on how to help a child cope with a parent’s problem drinking.
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