The Background

How Did We Start

The Recovery Academy was born out of research on the Soilse drug rehabilitation project conducted by Keane (2011) and Keane, McAleenan, and Barry (2014). It draws inspiration from the international recognition of recovery as a transformative approach in both mental health and addiction services. We understand that recovery encompasses not just drug addiction but also alcohol and behavioral addictions.

Globally, there is a growing movement supporting recovery. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have been leading the way in adopting new addiction treatment models. These approaches prioritize enabling individuals to achieve independent, drug-free lifestyles and actively support them in transitioning from addiction services to becoming engaged, contributing members of their communities and wider society.

In Ireland, there is increasing interest in this recovery-oriented approach—not only among addiction professionals and some policymakers but, most importantly, among people in recovery themselves. The Recovery Academy seeks to empower individuals and communities to advocate for a reorientation of addiction services, aligning with this progressive, evidence-based framework to foster hope, independence, and lasting change.