Cocaine is the most common drug for people seeking treatment in Ireland, according to a new report from the Health Research Board.

The HRB says that the rise last year is also reflective of an increase in the provision of specific services to treat cocaine use.

There were over 12,000 cases treated for problem drug abuse last year.

Naerly 40% of cases were never treated before and cases recorded can involve multiple treatments for the same time period.

Cocaine use has surpassed mainly heroin use, with cannabis now the third most common drug reported, followed by benzodiazepines.

The average age for drug users in Ireland is 33 years, with the vast majority male and the number of drug users in paid employment has doubled since 2016.

The data shows that in terms of treatment, cannabis is largely used by those aged 19 years old or younger, cocaine by those aged 20-34 years and opioids by people aged over 35 years.

Polydrug use was common and reported by over half of cases.