As part of Recovery Month (September ), the Rutland Centre’s annual Medallion Ceremony took place last weekend at Dublin’s Nation Concert Hall.
The intimate and private event welcomed more than 80 individuals, their families and supporters who have reached milestones in their addiction recovery and reinforced the importance of a strong support system in the recovery process.
The event marked an annual milestone for most but some had reached significant milestones of 1, 5, 20, 30, and 40-year anniversaries.
One of the recipients of the five-year medallion was Chris Joyce from Knocknacarra, Galway who recently celebrated five years of recovery from a gambling and alcohol addiction.
Chris has become an inspiring figure both at the Rutland Centre and in the wider recovery community, recently organising a successful abseil fundraiser at Croke Park.
A dedicated GAA fan, Chris continues to apply the tools he learned at the Rutland Centre in his everyday life. Also honoured on stage was Sean Kealty from Crumlin, Dublin, who received his 40-year medallion.
A recovering alcoholic, Sean has worked with a variety of groups, including prisoners, guiding them on their own recovery journeys. He is a firm believer that if he can overcome his challenges, anyone can. Other recipients shared moving stories of their battles with addiction, while parents spoke about the support they received through The Rutland’s Concerned Persons Group service to help their children on the path to recovery.
Chris Joyce spoke of his pride at reaching the milestone.
“I’m a compulsive gambler and alcoholic. I remember when I entered the Rutland five years ago, I had the choice to go in over Christmas or on my birthday, which was coming up, and I chose Christmas - it was the best decision I ever made.
“I had to forego my beloved GAA matches for a period of time while in recovery which was very hard but The Rutland Centre gave me the tools I needed to rebuild my life.
“The recent abseil fundraiser in Croke Park was my way of giving back to the community that saved me. I’m deeply grateful for the support I’ve received, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to take that first step towards recovery,” he said.
The Medallion Ceremony offers a unique opportunity for recipients like Chris, Sean and their families to reflect on the progress made in their recovery journeys. It highlights the transformative role of the Rutland Centre in helping individuals reclaim their lives from addiction.
This year’s ceremony is particularly significant as it provides a space to celebrate the courage and resilience of those in recovery, while also raising awareness of addiction recovery in Ireland during September’s Recovery Month.
