Dr Garrett McGovern – Medical Director & Addiction Medicine Specialist
Dr McGovern is Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic, a private addiction treatment programme located in South County Dublin. He qualified in Medicine in 1995 from Trinity College Dublin and has worked as a GP specialising in the treatment of Addiction since the implementation of the opioid treatment protocol in the HSE Addiction Services since 1998. He is ICGP Level 2 accredited in the treatment of opiate use and also treats drug users within the HSE Addiction Services, a position he has held since 1998. He has a caseload of over 600 patients with a range of addiction problems. He received his specialist addiction training in the UK and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical and Public Health Aspects of Addiction from the National Addiction Centre, King’s College London and is a diplomate of the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM). ISAM certification is an accreditation examination for physicians specialising in Addiction Medicine worldwide and is the international equivalent of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Board exam.
He also holds a Professional Diploma in Clinical Leadership from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI). Dr McGovern is a founding member of the subcommittee for the Continuing Medical Education of General Practitioners specialising in Substance Abuse (GPSSA). He is also one of the first members of the International Doctors for Healthy Drug Policies (IDHDP) which is an international group of medical addiction experts aiming to promote sensible drug policies. He is also a trustee of the New Nicotine Alliance of Ireland, which is an organisation promoting the safer delivery of nicotine in an effort to reduce smoking related harms. He is a member of the board of directors of Europad, (European Opiate Addiction Treatment Association). He is a regular contributor to the medical and mainstream media on addiction related issues and is an occasional peer reviewer of research articles on addiction related topics prior to publication.
Access care from anywhere in the world
We understand that attending in person may not always be feasible. That’s why we offer video and telemedicine consultations. This convenient service allows you to receive professional medical advice and support from the comfort of your home. You can discuss your concerns with Dr. McGovern in a confidential setting, ensuring you receive the care you need without the barriers of travel or time constraints.
call the clinic: 01-2916153 or e-mail a query to drmcgovern@prioritymedicalclinic.ie
Dr McGovern Media article/videos
1. Dr McGovern debunks some addiction related myths about vaping
SwapTober Ireland Dr Garrett McGovern discusses Vaping and Smoking – YouTube
2. Dr McGovern debates injecting room to help people suffering from heroin addiction
Debate Room: Where do we put drug injection centres? (youtube.com)
3. Dr McGovern discussed cannabis legalisation with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk’s Hard Shoulder
‘Today I got some drugs in the post’ – Is it time to legalise cannabis? – YouTube
4. Dr McGovern discussed the challenges treating benzodiazepine dependence
Benzodiazepine use and prescribing during the pandemic – SDF COVID-19 Webinar (youtube.com)
5. Dr McGovern discusses vaping at the Global Nicotine Forum conference in Warsaw
DARK SIDE | Tobacco Control’s Penchant for Misinformation | #GFNTVInterviews – YouTube
6. Dr McGovern discusses the increased prevalence of laughing gas use among young people on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show
Laughing gas use among teens a ‘real worry’ – Addiction expert | Newstalk
7. Dr McGovern discusses alcohol addiction on Newstalk Breakfast
‘We need to stop revelling in and laughing at’ our relationship with alcohol | Newstalk
8. Dr McGovern discusses cocaine addiction on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show
Increase in people injecting themselves with cocaine | Newstalk
9. Dr McGovern discussed the opening of Ireland’s first injecting Centre of people with heroin addiction on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show
Injection facility go ahead | Newstalk
10. Dr Garrett McGovern discusses the greater demand for heroin addiction treatment on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show
Demand for heroin addiction treatment increases | Newstalk
11. Dr McGovern’s article in The Journal regarding e-cigarettes
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/vaping-legislation-5820156-Jul2022/
12. Dr McGovern’s article on opioid substitution treatment in the Irish Medical Times
https://www.imt.ie/clinical/making-the-case-for-methadone-22-10-2010/
13. Dr McGovern’s interview in The Journal.ie
14. Listen to Dr McGovern’s interview on Midland103 Radio on
Dependency On Drugs Turning Criminals Our Of Ordinary People – Midlands 103
15. Dr McGovern’s interview in the Irish Medical Times on the changing landscape of Irish Drug Policy
The changing landscape of Irish drug policy (imt.ie)
16. Dr McGovern’s interview with the Irish Examiner on the rising use of Ketamine
Warning of increase in ketamine use as seizures of drug spike (irishexaminer.com)
17. Dr McGovern’s interview with the Sunday World on the rise in Heroin addiction in Dublin
Shocking rise in number of people seeking help for heroin addiction in Dublin – SundayWorld.com
18. Dr McGovern’s interview with Breaking News on the rising use of cocaine among young adults
Huge jump in young adults requiring treatment for cocaine addiction, study finds (breakingnews.ie)
19. Dr McGovern’s interview with the Medical Independent about opioids in Ireland
Opioids in Ireland: Are we heading towards a US-style crisis? – Medical Independent
20. Dr McGovern’s interview with the Sunday World about drug use during the Covid-19 lockdown
Drug use in Ireland has surged since lockdown with ‘devastating effects’ – SundayWorld.com