As part of their second annual Recovery Month awareness campaign, the Rutland Centre will host a number of free events in Dublin this September.

To kick off Recovery Month, Minister for Health Simon Harris will make an appearance in the Mansion House on Monday August 28 at the campaign’s launch alongside Kenneth Egan.

“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,” Egan said.

“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”

US research indicates LGBT+ people are three times more likely than the general population to have substance use disorders. The campaign will have a specific focus on LGBT+ people who are in recovery with events and information evenings tailored specifically for members of the LGBT+ community.

Recovery Month Events

Here’s a look at some of the free events that are lined up during Recovery Month.

LGBTQ in Recovery
7pm, Monday September 4
Wood Quay Venue

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, internalized homophobia, it is reasonable to think that many LGBTQ people may have come to use substances such as drugs and alcohol to self-soothe, ultimately developing into addictions.

Many studies offer evidence LGBTQ people often face significantly increased trauma as a result of various internal and external factors (e.g. stressful childhood experiences, hate crimes, family conflict) which strongly correlates with increased substance abuse.

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 recognize that Recovery is open to everyone.

Tickets for this event are available to book here for free.

Some of the other events include ‘Women in Recovery’ with a talk from musician Mary Coughlan on September 12 (tickets available here) and ‘Sport, Addiction and Recovery’ which is hosted by journalist and broadcaster Matt Cooper on September 18 (tickets available here).