Page 15 - Garda Journal Winter 2019

GARDA HISTORY | Rutland Centre
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The word ‘addiction’ is one that often has powerful, negative connotations which can lead to the stigmatisation of the hundreds and thousands of people and their families who are affected by addiction in Ireland today.
The Rutland Centre’s annual awareness campaign, takes place for ‘Recovery Month’ every September. The campaign aims to break the stigma associated with addiction by providing people most at risk with the support and confidence to live their lives in Recovery.
This year’s ‘Recovery Month’ campaign, entitled ‘Give Recovery a Voice’, saw people from all walks of life, sharing their experiences of addiction and Recovery through the Rutland Centre’s website (www.rutlandcentre.ie/recovery- month) and on its social media channels.
‘Give Recovery a Voice’ featured the stories of inspiring men and women who are in Recovery from addiction. These brave people shared their stories to give hope and guidance to the hundreds of thousands of families and communities throughout Ireland who are affected by addiction today.
One such story was that of Róisín Sheridan. Róisín started drinking in her second year in college and from there it spiralled out of control until she sought treatment in the 1980s. Commenting on her Recovery, Róisín said:
“I have no doubt my drinking was a form of self-medication. Eventually I reached a point where my drinking was seriously affecting my life to the point of paralysis and I didn’t want my life to be that way so I sought treatment.
The key factor in my Recovery was the support of my friends. It’s vital for people to have support and I would encourage family members to support their loved ones if they are genuinely remorseful and if it is possible to forgive. Recovery gave me freedom. I learnt to realise that reality wasn’t that bad, to accept myself and to ignore the judgement or perceived judgement of others. The words that best describe Recovery for me are courage, bravery, endurance, discipline and determination leading to joy pleasure, awareness and a love of life.”
Sarah whose husband was treated at the Rutland Centre in 2011 for multiple addictions including addiction to alcohol, painkillers and gambling, said:
“Denial has to be the most powerful feeling ever. It kept me in a place where it was all darkness, lies and deceit. I know what it feels like to have lost everything – hope, love, family, money, morals, home and marriage. I have also learned how to cherish all that now.”
Speaking on her husband’s treatment, Sarah said:
“I was finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My hopes and dreams started to come alive again and I started to have hope for us and our family.”
Commenting on Recovery Month, Maebh Mullany, Chief Executive at the Rutland Centre said:
“We know there are hundreds of people across Ireland who are affected by addiction and who are not coming forward because of the stigma associated with drug, alcohol or gambling addiction for example. We hope our stories will help give these people a voice and let them know that there is life after addiction and Recovery is possible.’
This year’s Recovery Month campaign coincided with the Rutland Centre’s 40th Birthday. The Rutland Centre has been providing addiction treatment services at its centre in Knocklyon in Dublin since 1978. Approximately 400 people per year are now treated at the Rutland Centre for behavioural and substance addictions including: alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and food. Alcohol is the leading addiction the Centre treats with over 90% of those who attend the Rutland Centre receiving treatment for alcohol addiction.
Commenting on its 40 years in operation, Maebh said:
“In the last 40 years alcohol addiction has remained a constant problem in our communities unfortunately. We have also seen, especially in the last 10 years, the growth in prevalence of other addictions and in particular problem gambling. In terms of the people who seek treatment, in the early years, it was mainly men who we saw presenting for treatment. These days, we see men and women of all ages, often presenting with multiple addictions.
In our experience at the Rutland Centre, we believe that addiction can and does affect all types of people, families and communities. We need to challenge the perception that addiction only happens to someone else because that will actually prevent a person or their family asking for help. If we can open up the conversation about addiction, and let people know that there is no judgement and that recovery is possible, then it may help more people who are currently living in situations from which they see no escape. “
The residential programme at the Rutland Centre are five weeks in duration and follow the Twelve-Step Programme. An excellent and highly qualified multi-disciplinary team of psychiatristis, psychologists, pyschotherapists and addiction specialists work together in the Rutland Centre to develop bespoke recovery programmes for clients, including:
• One-to-one counselling and group therapy. • Personal time for reflection and reading.
• Relaxation, and recreation activities.
• Drama therapy.
• Healthy meals.
• Stop smoking workshops.
• Lectures and therapeutic workshops.
• Time for fellowship, allowing for personal sharing and
understanding.
Treatment at the Rutland Centre is covered by Garda Medical Aid. For further information visit www.rutlandcentre.ie
Rutland Centre Gives Recovery a Voice
GARDA JOURNAL 13