There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people treated for cocaine addiction, according to figures released by the Health Research Board.
This follows a study of drug addiction treatment trends from 2002 to 2007.
Read the reports on cocaine and opiate use
The Health Research Board report also suggests evidence of a growing heroin problem outside Dublin.
The research of heroin and cocaine treatment pinpoints the midlands, southeast and northeast as the areas facing the greatest problems.
In Dublin, the heroin problem has reached saturation point, according to experts.
The Health Research Board report claims there has been a 177% increase in cocaine addiction treatment in the five years leading up to 2007, albeit starting from a very low base.
Heroin addiction treatment cases increased by 31%.
Tony Geoghegan of Merchants Quay Ireland, a voluntary organisation providing services drug users, said the new national drugs strategy needs to reflect the changes.
Despite the huge increase in cocaine use in recent years, experts predict heroin addiction will further increase in the future as a result of economic difficulties.
