Minister for Health and Kenneth Egan Launch Rutland Centre’s Recovery Month
Alcohol is still the leading addiction for clients of the Rutland Centre with 91% of those who attended the Centre for addiction treatment in 2016 being treated for alcohol addiction. The statistics were revealed by Ireland’s foremost addiction treatment centre, at the launch of its second annual Recovery Month in the Mansion House in Dublin today.
Officially launched by Minister for Health Simon Harris, TD and Olympic Silver Medalist, Kenneth Egan, Recovery Month consists of a month long programme of activity from 1st – 30th September devoted to strengthening families and communities by providing them with the necessary information and support structures to recover from addiction.
Commenting on the launch, Minister for Health, Simon Harris, TD, said: “I believe that recovery from addiction is possible for anyone, provided they have the right supports in place. Our new National Drugs Strategy, “Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery”, highlights the role that communities, families and peers can play in promoting healthy behaviour. The strategy represents a whole-of-government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland and puts the person at the centre of their own recovery.
The strategy aims to change attitudes to drug and alcohol use in Ireland by supporting people and communities to make positive changes in their lives. Recovery is a long road to take but with the support of peers, family and loved ones it is possible to succeed.”
Commenting, Maebh Leahy, Chief Executive, Rutland Centre said: “Following our hugely successful inaugural Recovery Month in 2016, this year’s programme places a heavy emphasis on the pivotal role that relationships play in the treatment and sustained Recovery of people in addiction. Our programme has been carefully planned in line with the Government’s recently launched ‘Drug and Alcohol Treatment Strategy which identifies women, the LGBT community and older adults as ‘at-risk’ groups. The aim of the activity is to reach out to these groups and provide them with the support that they need to overcome addiction and live a life in Recovery.”
Olympic Team Captain and Silver Medallist, Kenneth Egan who was also on hand at the launch today and will himself take part in a free event on Addiction and Recovery in Sport, said: “My life revolved around boxing so much that I never thought of the end piece. Retirement for me was very hard to accept and come to terms with. I had many mixed emotions and a loss of identity. To try and reinvent myself at 32 was something I found very hard. Having used alcohol as a tool to numb the pain of low self-worth and that feeling of uselessness, I became very toxic to be around. My true luck is in having an amazing and supportive family who stood by me from the start of my boxing career right up to the day I beat my addiction and beyond. The importance of positive connection in our lives is vital and I am proud to be a part of this great initiative from the Rutland Centre which I hope will help many people enjoy a life without addiction.”
To mark the commencement of Recovery Month, the Rutland Centre also released information about addiction trends in 2016 including:
- 77% of people who completed treatment and entered aftercare in Rutland Centre are engaged in Recovery.
- The age group most frequently seeking treatment at the Rutland Centre in 2016 was the 34 – 44 year of age group. The average age of the Rutland Centre’s clients is 43.
- Alcohol is still the number one drug of choice implicated in 91% of all presentations at the Centre, up from 87% in 2015.
- Out of all those treated for alcohol addiction, 88.3% were women while 69.4% were men.
- There was a decrease in the number of people presenting with multiple addictions from last year at 62% to just 48% affected by more than one addiction this year.
- Regarding relationships and families, of those in treatment – 44% were single, 41% were married or in a relationship and 50% had children.
- 58% were in employment at the time of treatment.
Maebh Leahy added: “One of our key messages this year is that addiction can and does affect all types of families and communities – we need to challenge the perception that exists 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 just how that there is no judgement and that recovery is possible, then it may help more families who are currently living in situations from which they see no escape.”
In addition to the Outcomes for 2016, the Rutland Centre also announced findings of a study of 82 people who completed treatment in the last 5 years as follows:
- 12 months after treatment, 76.8% were abstinent.
- 83% reported an improved quality of life.
- 7% reported improved relationships.
- 3% reported increased self-worth.
- 5% reported that they still engaged in relapse prevention strategies.
- 5% were more hopeful about the future.
Recovery Month will see a series of free events taking place throughout September that will look at varied aspects of Recovery in relation to specific communities. The Rutland Centre welcomes the general public, people affected by addiction and their partners and families as well as healthcare professionals to attend, including:
- Monday 4th September, LGBT in Recovery – A free information session about the risk of addiction and what Recovery would look like for an individual and / or family.
- Tuesday 12th September, Women in Recovery – An evening of music and stories promoting recovery for all women, hosted by Mary Coughlan.
- Friday 15th September, Rutland Centre Open House – A healthcare professional CPD training event for General Practitioners followed by a free open day for all professionals and students in the field of addiction. The event will finish with a history tour and talk on Rutland Centre’s historic house and grounds.
- Monday 18th September, Addiction and Recovery in Sport – How to protect yourself and your top athletes. Chaired by broadcaster and journalist, Matt Cooper, the event promises to be entertaining and insightful with a panel of well-known sports people, including Camogie Star, Anna Geary; All Ireland Winning Hurling Manager, Liam Sheedy; Offaly Footballer, Niall McNamee, Olympic Silver Medal winning boxer, Kenneth Egan and Player Development Manager for Leinster Rugby, Dr Ella McCabe.
- Wednesday 27th September, Recovery for Families – Free coffee morning including advice and information on how to help a parent or an adult child achieve recovery; free public lecture followed by a free private clinic with Rutland addiction counsellors where families can get advice and support.
For further information on ‘Recovery Month’ and a full programme of activity please visit www.rutlandcentre.ie or contact the Rutland Centre at info@rutlandcentre.ie or 01 494 6358.