Held at the National Concert Hall last Sunday during Recovery Month (September), the annual private ceremony brings together just under 100 recipients, their families and supporters. Medallions were presented to mark recovery milestones ranging from one year to several decades, while recognising the families, communities and professionals who support long-term recovery.

Among those receiving a medallion was Dublin-based Leon Wodzinski, who is now 21 months in recovery. Originally from Poland, Leon moved to Co. Longford at the age of eight following a childhood marked by abuse and now lives in Smithfield, Dublin. As he grew older, he developed an addiction to drugs, starting with morphine then moving into crystal methamphetamine and GBH.

In 2024, Mr Wodzinski experienced a prolonged period of drug-related psychosis that resulted in his admission to a psychiatric unit. He continued to struggle and later suffered a drug-related seizure. A friend found him collapsed on the floor of his apartment, an experience he now describes as his rock-bottom moment.

He subsequently secured a place at The Rutland Centre in Knocklyon. When he first arrived, he did not unpack his bag because he did not believe he would stay. However, through the Centre’s structured treatment programme, group therapy and the support of its clinical team, he began to understand the experiences underlying his addiction, develop healthier ways of coping and rebuild his life.

Addressing recipients and their families, Mr Wodzinski said: “When I first walked into The Rutland, I wasn’t thinking about a medallion or what my life could look like in recovery. I was just trying to survive. Addiction had taken me to a place where I barely recognised myself, but Rutland gave me a chance to stop running from myself.”

After completing treatment, Mr Wodzinski returned to the Rutland Centre for aftercare every Friday, even when he found it difficult.

He continued: “Recovery taught me how to sit with uncomfortable feelings, be honest and ask for help. This medallion represents every day I chose recovery and the people who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself.”

Maebh Mullany, chief executive of the Rutland Centre, said: “Leon’s story shows both the devastating impact of addiction and what is possible with the right treatment and continuing support. Addiction is not always visible, and someone may appear to be functioning while privately experiencing enormous distress.

“Each medallion represents courage and perseverance, while also recognising the families, friends and professionals who support recovery. Recovery is possible, but nobody should have to undertake it alone.”

The ceremony comes as demand for addiction treatment continues to rise. The Health Research Board recorded 24,220 drug and alcohol treatment episodes in 2025, while the Rutland Centre’s latest Annual Report found that almost two-thirds of its clients reported two or more addictions. Despite increasingly complex presentations, 98 per cent of residential clients and 81 per cent of outpatient clients completed treatment.

The Rutland Centre provides detoxification, residential, outpatient, continuing-care, family-recovery and intervention services for people affected by substance and behavioural addictions. In June 2026, it expanded its intensive outpatient programme beyond Dublin for the first time, opening a service in Athlone for people across the Midlands and West.