'I never thought that after 20 years addicted to drugs and alcohol I’d be graduating and drug free'

Coolmine’s therapeutic community helps 1,000 people overcoming addiction every year and 60% of those who complete the therapy remain drug free.

The people gave me the ability to manage my behaviour. I never thought that after 20 years addicted to drugs and alcohol I’d be graduating and drug free. I thank the people in Coolmine for that.

unnamed (19) Andrew Kirwan (Louth); International singing star, Damien Dempsey and Emma O’Shea (Dublin). International singing star, Damien Dempsey, an ambassador for Coolmine Therapeutic Community congratulates Andrew Kirwan from Louth and Emma O’Shea from Dublin who received their certificates at a special event in St Patricks Cathedral, having completed the comprehensive therapy and treatment.

ANDREW KIRWAN FROM Drogheda Co Louth completed the comprehensive therapy and treatment at Coolmine Therapeutic Community along with 19 other people.

He said that the Coolmine therapy “focussed on getting me to believe in myself and with that belief anything was possible”.

He was presented with a certificate for completing addiction therapy by singer Damien Dempsey.

The singer said it was a great honour to meet with the graduates who had worked so hard to overcome their addiction and return to their families and communities.

“Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking knows how difficult it can be to stop, so this is a huge achievement for these clients to overcome their addiction.”

Emma O’Shea said that Coolmine made it possible for her to manage her addiction:

My mam and dad have their daughter back and I am free again. Free to be back with my family. Free to be with my son who will be starting school next week and to be a loving mammy to him.

Treatment

Coolmine’s therapeutic community model is a treatment and rehabilitation approach where clients live in small, structured, drug-free communities.

The goal is to encourage psychological and lifestyle changes to enable people to maintain a drug-free existence.

It helps 1,000 people overcoming addiction every year and 60% of those who complete the therapy remain drug free.

Chief Executive of Coolmine Therapeutic Community, Pauline McKeown, said that Coolmine’s focus was on helping the most vulnerable graduates to rebuild their lives and return to society.

“The big problem for a recovering addict is finding a home and employment.

If a client leaves Coolmine and returns to an environment of drugs and alcohol, his or her chances of success are greatly reduced.

The treatment approach is based on peer support, and participants are expected to contribute to the general running of the community, and to their own recovery, by actively participating in educational activities and in group and individual therapy.

Read: 18 teens started treatment for substance misuse this year>

Read: Dublin Lord Mayor calls for task force to tackle inner city addiction problems>

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