Tackle addiction head on says Offaly footballer

The only way someone can break the cycle of addiction is by recognising the underlying issues  and addressing them head on.

That’s according to Offaly footballer Niall McNamee, who was speaking at the launch of the Rutland Centre’s Recovery Month initiative this week.  
Recovery Month, which rund throughout September, will consist of a month-long programme of mostly free events for the general public, people affected by addiction and their families and professionals working on the front line with addiction.

Rhode native McNamee knows better than most the difficulties caused by addiction. In late 2011 he sought help from the Rutland Centre for a five year gambling addiction during which time he estimates that he lost in the region of €200,000 to bookies.

Fast forward five years and McNamee has a new sportswear business, Twelves, named after the 12 steps of recovery. He is also a Mental Health Ambassador with the Gaelic Players Association.

Speaking at the launch of Recovery Month, he said that the Rutland Centre played a central role in his personal battle against addiction..

“Addiction does not respect social boundaries. It can affect anyone from any walk of life. My problem was I couldn’t stop gambling once I started and for me recovery was my only option.  It’s about recognising the reasons why you gamble or drink to excess, coming to terms with them and dealing with them. 

'I am happy to help the Rutland Centre launch this awareness month for that reason. I hope it helps to create better understanding of addiction and for people to recognise the signs and symptoms in themselves, their family members and friends, and most importantly to be able to seek treatment.”

Over the past 10 years, the Rutland Centre has treated over 2,000 for a range of addiction issues.

The average age of a person seeking help at the Rutland Centre is 41. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of 18 to 24 year olds seeking help in the last five years.

While alcohol remains the most common problem, over 60 percent of the people treated by the Rutland Centre in 2016 have more than one addiction.

Maebh Leahy, Chief Executive of the Rutland Centre says that  there is still a stigma associated with looking for help for an addiction issue.

“At the Rutland Centre, we believe that managing consumption is not a feasible option.  We believe it is not possible for people with an alcohol addiction to have the one drink or for those with a gambling problem to place the odd bet. 

'Our treatment programmes are based around abstinence based recovery rather than harm reduction. Recovery Month is about raising awareness of addiction, exploring the causes and symptoms of addiction and educating people on how to treat it through recovery and abstinence.”