Articles & Research
At Chrysalis, we aim to be thought leaders in the area of to addiction and related issues such as dual diagnosis, physical health, homelessness, and domestic violence. To ensure that we are making the best decisions with regards to the services we provide, we conduct our own research in partnership with Irish academic institutions and others across the world.
Our research and articles are freely available and ready for reference to all individuals and organisations alike. Scroll below to view our publications.
The Unique Needs of Older Drug Users: Are We Doing Enough?
Passerose Mantoy - CEO
Ageing, addiction, and the growing gap in care and support.
For the past 26 years, I have worked in the addiction sector in Dublin watching the landscape of substance use evolve. While much attention is given to young people and new drug trends, there is a growing, overlooked and underserved group, older drug users; this trend is being seen across Europe. Individuals in their late 40s who have used substances for decades. Their needs are unique and complex, and...
25 Years of Change: Addiction Work in Dublin Through a Trauma Informed Lens
Passerose Mantoy - CEO
From crisis response to trauma informed, person centred care in Dublin’s addiction services
If you walked into an addiction service 25 years ago – when I started working in Chrysalis CDP, a Dublin community drug project – the work looked very different. Heroin dominated the scene; the focus was on reducing harm and crisis management– dissemination of harm reduction information and materials, needle exchanges, methadone programmes and outreach services in the inner city. The people using drugs were mainly..
Organisational Research Strategy
Chrysalis Community Drug Project
Chrysalis is a person-centred, harm-reduction community addiction service offering a range of therapeutic interventions to individuals and families in Dublin’s North Inner City impacted by substance misuse. Services are offered in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7, with referrals accepted from concerned others, professionals, and self-referrals. Following assessment, service users may access case management, addiction and general counselling, and group work tailored to community trends (including crack cocaine use), recovery, and well-being. Additional supports include community detox, evening recovery groups, addiction clinics, football for engagement, and recovery coaching—all delivered free of charge.
This research plan outlines potential research areas, ethical procedures, and preferred methodologies that align with Chrysalis’ values and practical realities, as well as explains previous research projects Chrysalis has engaged in. The plan also elucidates the requirements of outside researchers who engage with Chrysalis, including ethical review and required outputs.
Needs & Gaps in Family Support Within Addiction Services
Ajeet Karn
This briefing paper summarises a research report by Ajeet Karn, a Master of Public Policy Student at University College Dublin, focusing on the needs and gaps in Family Support services within addiction services in the catchment area of Chrysalis Community Drug Project (CDP) in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7. The report also provides actionable policy recommendations.
Marking Recovery Month 2026
Passerose Mantoy - CEO
September is Recovery Month, a time to celebrate recovery and the achievements and resilience of so many. The colour purple is the official colour representing strength, bravery and persistence, qualities required to face addiction. It is also a colour associated with wisdom and personal transformation - mirroring the journey of recovery.
So how would I define Recovery? As the CEO of Chrysalis Community Drug Project, a person-centred harm reduction addiction service, I believe it is up to the individual to define their recovery not up to the professionals. Recovery is a process...
“The Tools You Use Will Be Different to the Tools I
Use”
Bryan Rainbow
Bryan Rainbow's research explores how people accessing support from Chrysalis Community Drug Project define and understand recovery.
Using a qualitative research design involving 12 semi-structured interviews with Chrysalis service users, Bryan's research explores the meanings people attach to recovery and how they understand it. The findings indicate that participants understood recovery as a broad, individualised, evolving, and relational process of rebuilding or constructing a meaningful life, involving improvements in wellbeing and quality of life, in which substance use may or may not be a central feature.