“ “ With help from The Ireland Funds, Cuan Mhuire is restoring hope across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since its formation in 1966, Cuan Mhuire has compassionately treated over 100,000 people with drug, gambling, and alcohol addictions. It is now the largest program of its kind on the island of Ireland. Stories of Recovery: At any one time, Cuan Mhuire is overseeing 600 people in treatment at centres in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Life skills and personal development are emphasized in their residential program of total abstinence from substances as Residents restore their self-confidence, self-respect and a sense of responsibility. Cuan Mhuire believes there are no hopeless cases. All faiths, cultures and traditions are warmly welcomed. 12-week and 20-week programs are offered and support encompasses families as well. After-treatment for up to two years is regarded as vital and the program encourages Residents to embrace their uniqueness, inherent goodness and purpose in life. ” Mark “I completed the Cuan Mhuire 20-week drug program. I came from an alcoholic family so I had a lot of fear growing up. There was a lot of violence in the house. I was 15 when I started stealing my parents’ sleeping pills and taking tablets to cope. I was 18 when I started to drink and I was taking a lot of drugs as well. Nobody knew. I kept my addiction very hidden for a lot of years. I remember going into town and saying, 'is it worth it?' I was about to collect two weeks of pay knowing I could have a few good days and then I'm back to square number one. Do I really want that kind of life? I lost everything. I was seeing doctors. I lost the job, I lost the car, and I lost my flat. I was more or less homeless. In the height of depression, I saw no way out. It was my moment of acceptance that change had to be made. I did the 20-week program here at Cuan Mhuire and that was two and a half years ago. I haven't used since." Gráinne Day one was horrific. I was coming crashing down after drinking as much as I could before I arrived. However, I felt straight away that I was in the right place. I was relieved to know that there was somewhere that I could go and that there were people willing to help someone like me. That’s a huge thing when you're as far down as I was the day I came through those gates.” “I came from a family where my father was an alcoholic and I started drinking in my teens. In my 20s it went from every now- and-again to drinking socially but eventually I ended up here at Cuan Mhuire in a bad state. I'm married and I have four children. It was devastating and really tough for my family. I didn’t think I was doing any harm, but it’s amazing then when you come in here, work the program, and look at yourself. You finally see what’s really going on. When I got to Cuan Mhuire, I didn't really care whether I lived or died. I was taken care of. I was looked after. I was treated like a decent human being when, to be honest, I wasn't feeling like one. But every day after the first day was a little bit better even though sometimes there was only a tiny improvement. It wasn't easy. The hope started, something that I hadn't felt for a long time." connect 2019 • 55