Casadh History

Casadh was developed as a response by the greater Dublin 8 community who have been affected by drug addiction. The concept was to develop a centre that would be managed and co-ordinated by interested community groups and to respond in a comprehensive way to the needs of those affected by addiction in the area. The company was incorporated in 2002.

It was felt at the time, that there was lack of community-initiated services providing educational and training opportunities to long-term recovering drug users who were stabilised on methadone.

The word “Casadh” is an Irish word, which literally means, “To Turn” or Twist”. The term “Casadh” was therefore developed in the context of helping “turn the tide of addiction”

Participants who attend Casadh are from the South Inner City Area and range in age from 22 years to 44 years in age. The profile of the participants reflects early school leaving, literacy problems, a history of family conflict and relational issues, long-term unemployment, criminal behaviour and convictions and a history of drug abuse. Participants would often tend to have low-self esteem and can be on prescribed medication for depression and anxiety problems. They have experienced discrimination both within and outside of their own communities. For the majority of participants attending Casadh, this has been their first experience of adult educational opportunities, support and rehabilitation. Casadh provides participants with the opportunity to stabilise their drug-use, move towards a community based Methadone Detox and finally entry to a drug free (abstinence based) programme.

There is real evidence for qualitative progression, growth and development with the Participant’s lives who attend the programme at Casadh. Feedback from service users reports a huge change in the quality of their lives. They thoroughly enjoy the programme and the variety of training and educational programmes on offer. They believe that they are more stable in their recovery and are more hopeful for their future and with reference to accessing further educational and employment opportunities. There is evidence within the client group that reflects a rise in self-esteem, less depressive thoughts and anxiety and a more positive self-efficacy with regards to working towards realistic goals for their future.