The latest data from the Institute of Statistics of Catalonia (IDESCAT) reveals an upward trend in the demand for help with addictions in the central region. Between 2013 and 2023, treatments for cannabis dependency (marijuana and hashish) experienced a 180% growth, rising from 45 to 129 cases.
Despite this exponential increase in cannabis treatments, cocaine remains the second drug generating the most treatments in the area, only behind alcohol. Cocaine treatments rose from 123 in 2013 to 220 in 2023, indicating that it generates more addicts seeking professional help than cannabis.
This increase in the initiation of drug dependency treatments does not necessarily indicate an increase in consumption, but rather a greater search for help to combat addictions.
Alcohol continues to be the dominant substance, with 340 treatments initiated in 2023, 157 of which were concentrated solely in the Bages county. Furthermore, alcohol is the only substance that prompted treatment starts in all counties of the central region in both 2013 and 2023.
Regarding heroin, treatments have remained stable in Central Catalonia, but registered a significant increase in Bages, rising from 5 cases in 2013 to 21 in 2023. The majority profile of people starting cocaine treatment in Catalonia are men aged between 40 and 44.
