A new training programme, ‘Substance Use and Neurodiversity’, was launched on 28 May 2026 by Trinity College Dublin’s (TCD) School of Nursing and Midwifery to address a significant gap in frontline support for neurodivergent people accessing substance use services.
Commissioned by Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign, with support from ADHD Ireland, the training was developed in response to research indicating that 21 per cent of people accessing drug and alcohol services have ADHD, while many others are affected by autism, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
The programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and has been created to equip frontline workers with the knowledge and skills needed to better support neurodivergent individuals. Until now, no formal training of this nature had been available to staff working in the sector.
Developed in collaboration with national and international experts and co-produced with community drugs projects, the course also incorporates the lived experiences of neurodivergent people who have accessed substance use services. Organisers say this ensures the training reflects the real-world challenges faced by service users and practitioners alike.
Research and stakeholder feedback have highlighted the barriers many autistic people, people with ADHD, and others with neurodivergent profiles face when seeking support for drug and alcohol use.
Services are often not designed with their needs in mind, creating additional challenges in accessing care. The training aims to address these issues by helping participants recognise neurodiversity in substance use settings, adapt service delivery approaches, and create more accessible and inclusive environments.
Mr Tony Geoghegan, Chair, Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign, said the programme addresses a longstanding need identified by community-based drug projects across Ireland: “We know from our network of community drugs projects that staff have been doing their best without the tools they need. Neurodivergent people deserve services that understand them. This course gives workers the knowledge and confidence to make that a reality.”
Prof Catherine Comiskey, who led the TCD team alongside assistant Prof Philip James, said the initiative reflects both an urgent need for action and a commitment to rights-based healthcare: “Dissemination of best practice is urgently required if healthcare practitioners and related services are to uphold human rights-based approaches for both people who use services and people who provide them.”
The self-paced course is accessible on any device and is available free of charge. Participants can obtain a certificate of completion for a small fee, and no prior qualifications or experience are required.
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