Previous Years of Recovery Month
Recovery Month 2019
2019's Recovery Month campaign entitled, ‘Recovery – Living My Best Life’ was centred around those in their 20s and 30s and the specific challenges that they face on their journey from addiction to ‘Recovery.’
Check out the videos below where Conor, Gemma and David discuss life in recovery, the stigma that often surrounds recovery and the importance of raising awareness about recovery.
Recovery Capital
Recovery Month aims to promote awareness and understanding around substance misuse including alcohol and drugs. Additionally, it seeks to champion and celebrate individuals from all walks of life who have managed to carry out a successful recovery.
Recovery Capital is the term used to describe the extent and quality of resources available that can support an individual through the initiation and maintenance of their recovery from alcohol or drug addiction.
30th September 2018 - Video: What is Recovery?
As Recovery Month draws to a close, we finish up with this video in which some of our team here at the Rutland Centre share with us what they believe Recovery from addiction means!
"Recovery for me is about a contented sobriety; it's not just about abstaining from a substance, chemical or a behaviour" - Gerry
"Recovery is abut change; it's about creating meaningful and purposeful relationships" - Barry
"From head to heart, it's a long journey but people are able to meet themselves" - Mary
Watch the full video below!
28th September 2018 - Blog: Helen's Story
I never thought I would ever have to check into somewhere like The Rutland - in no derogatory slight to this centre in particular, I mean I never thought I’d have to darken the doors as a patient in The Rutland, The Priory, or any rehab centre at all. I mean look at me, I’m 36 years old, handsome enough looking girl, working in finance - doesn’t sound like your typical addict does it now?
Read Helen's story in full here
26th September 2018 - What does a regular week in treatment look like?
Tony, Residential Addiction Counsellor, talks us through what happens in a regular, giving a good insight into what you can expect when you are admitted.
25th September 2018 - How important is aftercare to your Recovery?
Declan, Aftercare Coordinator, tells us why he believes aftercare is such an important source of support!
23rd September 2018 - Blog: Mary's Story
Walking through those doors with my suitcase for my five week stay was terrifying. I did not know what to expect.It was the first time in my life that I was with people who did not judge me and who understood how I felt. Very quickly I began to see hope and the possibility of a different life.”
“Spending time with the other clients and hearing their stories was part of the healing process. I identified with others, I wasn’t alone, I wasn’t unique.Group therapy was invaluable, it drew out so many emotions that I had bottled up for all my life, I had never developed coping techniques since childhood, and I began to understand so much about myself. There were days of joy in there, and days of anger, but I was beginning to ‘feel’ again, and without self-medicating
Read Mary's full story here
23rd September 2018 - Blog: Amy's Story
I was chubby kid, outgoing and self-assured but by the age of 15 the messages I’d received from those around me took all that away. I’m not aware of the speed my illness set in but by the age of 17 I had full blown bulimia which quickly progressed to anorexia. For the remainder of my teens and all my 20’s I suffered predominately of bulimia. I was caught in a cycle of binge eating and purging. Sometimes binging for days only stopping to purge and sleep. I’d binge in work, on family occasions and disappear on nights out looking to find somewhere to buy binge food. On weekends I binge drank and spent the following days stuck in bulimia marathons. I couldn’t even manage going to town on the bus or turn up to college without being sucked into another binge.
Read Amy's full story here
22nd September 2018 - What to expect when you arrive to begin your treatment
In this video you will hear from Graeme, our Admin Manager. Graeme tells us what happens on day one and what you and your loved ones can expect to happen.
20th September 2018 - Patrick started drinking alcohol at 11 years of age. He is now in Recovery and this is his story.
18th September 2018 - The Rutland Centre team tell us a bit about their role and what you or a loved one can expect when you come to us for treatment.
In this video you will hear from a number of our team members about what is involved in treatment and what our hopes for you or your loved one are. From outpatients, to group therapy, we hope that this video will help you understand what happens in treatment.
17th September 2018 - Blog: Sarah's Story
“My name is Sarah. I am going to share a bit of my story around addiction and recovery.
“I am the second eldest of five children. My own family life was ruled by fear, abuse, drink and gambling - a total dysfunction to start with. Had I been asked when I was a child ‘How is your family life?’ I would have answered ‘Fine’. It was my normal, so it was fine to me.
“I met my husband Peter when I was a teenager and we married at the age of 22. I promised us both that our marriage and life would be totally different from my childhood. I wanted to be free from fear and gambling. I knew my husband had the odd bet and drink, but I was ok with that. I thought ‘He’s not like my father, thank God’.
14th September 2018 - Blog: Looking back at 40 years of the Rutland Centre?
The Beginnings of the Rutland Centre
The Rutland Centre was founded 40 years ago by Fr Raphael Short and Mary Bolton. Fr Short was a visionary priest, educated in clinical psychology. He trained in the Minnesota Model in the U.S. before bringing groundbreaking alcohol addiction treatment techniques to Ireland.
One of the cornerstones of the Minnesota Model which resonated with him was the positive impact of ‘talking therapy’. He saw the significant positive impact this could serve as a means of helping individuals in need of alcohol treatment.
In addition to delivering alcohol addiction therapy himself, Fr Short created and delivered onsite and overseas training programmes so that others could join him and help those in need.
Mary Bolton was an inspirational therapist, initially recruited by Fr Short. She had a unique ability to connect with individuals and their families, accompanied by unrivalled empathy with their unique circumstances.
Continue reading the full blog here
12th September 2018 - As we mark 40 years of service, board members Marion Rackard, Austin Prior and Dr John O Connor share their thoughts about the past, present and future of the Rutland Centre.
Since 1978 many very special people and practitioners have been involved in the Rutland Centre - whether as a counsellor, staff member, facilitator or board member. In this video three of our current board members, who each have a long-standing relationship with the Rutland Centre share their thoughts about how the centre has developed, and what recovery from addiction means to them.
10th September 2018 - Interview with Stephen and Rachel on the Sean O'Rourke Show RTE Radio One
All of a sudden the cocaine started to take over. I was 31 years of age, a dad with 2 children at that time and I was over in my Mam and Dads on a couch; what the hell had happened?
In the end he became withdrawn, moody, just not interested in our family life and that was very unlike him. I told my kids "Dad is gone in. He loves us very much but he's forgotten how to show it and they're going to teach him how to show us again."
Listen to the full interview here - very poignant from both Stephen and Rachel!
6th September 2018 - Blog: What is Recovery Month?
What is Recovery Month?
Recovery from addiction: Recovery Month is here!
Recovery Month is an annual event during the month of September where we put a spotlight on recovery from addiction. Recovery Month is observed internationally as an opportunity to create awareness of the issues surrounding addiction, and to celebrate those who have been successful in their recovery or who are at various stages of recovery.
Recovery from addiction is a journey and it’s important that we take this time out to recognise achievements big and small, no matter where someone is on that journey. Anyone who is attempting to overcome their addiction has already make a considerable accomplishment. Recovery even extends to the family and friends of someone dealing with addiction, and Recovery Month is a time to celebrate those people as well.
Read the full blog including the international history of Recovery Month here!
3rd September 2018 - Roisin, Patrick and Tom help to Give Recovery A Voice
Plenty of coverage of Roisin, Patrick and Tom's stories over the weekend in the Irish Times and the Journal Online.
Watch Roisin's Recovery video now below or on this link here
And read all the stories from the start of Recovery month below
Irish Times Weekend Supplement 1st September 2018
The Journal Online 2nd September 2018
2018 - Welcome to Rutland Centre's 3rd Annual Recovery Month - GIVE RECOVERY A VOICE!
Throughout the month of September, we will be sharing with you video's, blogs and interviews we have from people who have been through the Rutland Centre for treatment and who are in Recovery! As we celebrate 40 years of service, we recognise that the impact of addiction on people's lives has not changed. We hope to help reduce the stigmas associated with addiction by shifting the focus of the conversation towards Recovery!
Our sincere thanks to all those who sent us in stories and who got involved - you are helping to give recovery a voice!
To share your story with the us, please use the form below or, visit the Rutland Centre’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rutlandcentre/, Twitter @RutlandCentre, or please contact Maebh Mullany at the Rutland Centre directly on 01 4946358 / MaebhMullany@rutlandcentre.ie.
Please note that the Rutland Centre may wish to publish stories on its website or in the media.No stories will be shared with third parties without prior consent. Pictured below are Maebh Mullany (CEO), Dr John O'Connor (Medical Director) and Roisin Sheridan (former client). Roisin's story will shared with you over the coming days as the first in our series for September.
Recovery Month 2017
Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities
Rutland Centre’s second annual Recovery Month will be launched in the Mansion House on Monday 28th August 2017 by Minister for Health Simon Harris TD. The event will start at 12pm.
At this launch, we will be speaking about what recovery can mean to families in Ireland and why we think it matters that we focus on treatment from addiction and life in recovery so that families and communities across Ireland have some hope that things can change and that life can be better.
We will be sharing some of our own data – for example trends in treatment presentation, outcomes and relapse rates and Olympic Boxer Kenneth Egan will be sharing his own personal story of recovery.
Throughout the month of September we have a number of free events taking place.
Monday 4th September @ 7pm
Wood Quay Venue – City Wall Space
LGBTQ in Recovery – a free talk about what recovery looks like and why it is important for this community.
According to SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the USA) substance use disorders affect 8.4 percent of the general population, but a massive 20 to 30 percent of the LGBTQ+ population. Irish data collection does not address addiction in the LGBTQ community, however given people’s experience of discrimination, stigma, and for some, internalised homophobia, it is reasonable to think that many LGBTQ people may have come to use substances such as drugs and alcohol to
LGBTQ individuals in the USA seek treatment for substance abuse at a significantly higher rate than heterosexual individuals and have identified key themes in ideal service provision. Despite the higher rates of substance abuse difficulties and later onset of help seeking, research suggests that there are no significant differences in outcomes for LGBTQ clients who utilize substance abuse treatment programs compared to heterosexual clients. This promising finding encourages us to recognise that Recovery is open to everyone.
Tuesday 12th September @ 7pm
Wood Quay Venue – City Wall Space
Women in Recovery – and evening of music with Mary Coughlan.
Mary Coughlan, renowned musician and advocate of recovery will share her personal story of recovery from alcohol addiction through song and stories.
When women present for addiction treatment, we must be aware that there are social and environmental factors that influence how women enter into addiction and in they recover. Factors Unique to women that can influence the treatment process include:
- Women often come into addiction later in life or they are introduced and/or encouraged by male partners to engage in addictive behaviours.
- Women can often present from situations where domestic violence has been in the relationship.
- Stigma can block a lot of women from presenting for treatment as society takes a deemed view on women especially mothers who are in addiction.
- They often try to get support by their GP or by a mental health practitioner as oppose to entering into treatment.
- While the women may be in addiction they are still often taking care of the childcare and need to have a lot of support to allow them to take time out to enter residential treatment.
- Research has shown that physical and sexual trauma followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common in drug-abusing women than in men seeking treatment (Greenfield, 2010).
Friday 15th September
Rutland Centre Open House
Rutland Centre, Knocklyon
7.30am – 8.15am GP breakfast CPD Training "Screening for Addiction"
Meet the team – 11 am to 2.30 pm – there will be an opportunity to meet the Rutland team, hear about how our program works and ask questions about what we do. This is open to all professionals in the field.
Community Open House - 3-4pm – the local community are invited to come in to look around the garden and house and hear about some of the history.
Monday 18 th September @ 7pm
Wood Quay Venue – City Wall Space
Addiction and Recovery in Sport and how to protect yourself and your top athletes – an interactive interview with some of Ireland’s leading sports stars hosted by Matt Cooper.
Well respected journalist and broadcaster Matt Cooper will host an all-star panel of Irish sports men and women in a discussion about what life at the top of their game is like and what the pitfalls are. Offaly Footballer Niall McNamee and Olympic Boxing star Kenny Egan will tell us a bit about their personal stories of addiction, giving us some insight into if and how competing in sport at an elite level contributed; they’ll also share with us their stories of recovery and tell us what life in recovery is like!
Liam Sheedy, All Ireland Winning Hurling manager will tell us a bit about what he thinks the role of management and clubs is in protecting players and how managers can help players in difficulty while Anna Geary four-time Cork Camogie All Star will talk about how she protected herself and her mental health during her time at the top and what helped her as she made the transition away from sport. Dr Ella McCabe, clinical psychologist with Leinster Rugby will also give us her views and share her expert experiences.
Matt will also focus for a time on gambling culture in Ireland and get the views of the panel on what is happening out there and what concerns they may have for young players today.
The discussion will be recorded for a radio podcast and broadcast via Today FM The Last Word.
Wednesday 27th September @ 11am
Coffee Morning Mansion House 11am
Recovery for Families – how to help a parent or an adult child achieve recovery; free public lecture followed by a free private clinic with Rutland addiction counselors where families can get advice and support.
As a parent or spouse, you often have a unique insight into the behaviours of loved ones but it can be really difficult to intervene and to get support. Our message is that treatment works and recovery happens! It is worth picking up the phone for – recovery means so much more than no longer drinking for example. It means better physical and mental health, improved self-esteem, a chance to rebuild relationships and repair families and it means an overall better quality of life.
Addiction knows no boundaries – we have clients in treatment at the Rutland Centre across the full age spectrum from 18 right up to mid 70s . It is never too late to seek help and we know that families can recover even after many years of addiction.
The common factor in all addictions is the emotional and financial destruction caused by the addiction on the relationships of the person affected. Heavy emphasis is therefore placed on the role of the family in recovery at the Rutland Centre. The Centre encourages family members to get involved by taking part in the regular family sessions and workshops it hosts to offer support to families along with practical advice on how to help a loved one
