Young Addicts

Posted on 15. Aug, 2013 in Addiction, Alcohol, Drugs, Young people

A piece from our archive – July 25th 2007 – Sr. Veronica Mangan discusses her work with young people.   Veronica Mangan is a sister of Mercy with many years experience of working with young people in their struggle to rebuild their lives after years of drug dependency. Until recently Veronica was director of the […]

A Good Heresy

Posted on 29. Nov, 2012 in Alcohol, Gospel Values

“I love a good heresy,” was one of the comments written on an essay of  Padraig Brady, CEO of the Pioneers. Despite this, he graduated in October of this year and made a speech on behalf of the class. He talks with Pat Coyle about his learning experience in Milltown Institute in Dublin, and how it made him not just […]

Living with Addiction

Posted on 09. Jan, 2012 in Addiction, Alcohol

Addiction can take over and ruin lives. As part of our series, we bring you an extract from one of our 2009 Lenten documentaries with a woman called Hannah who spoke with Eileen Good about what it was like growing up in a family where her father was an alcoholic.

Recognising the Signs

Posted on 15. Apr, 2009 in Alcohol, Young people

Friday and Saturday nights in many homes are very often fraught with tension when parents suspect that their teenage children have been out drinking.  What should be done, when should parents start talking about the subject?  Eileen Good asked the advice of Steven Rowan, Addiction Counsellor and former Clinical Director of the Rutland Centre in […]

Young Pioneers

Posted on 18. Mar, 2009 in Alcohol, Young people

Lent is a time for moderation and after the excesses of St. Patrick’s day, moderation in alcohol is something many of us want to strive for. But few of us would think of going the extra step and becoming a pioneer.  Pat Coyle met Dermot Fagan who is young, Irish and a pioneer; three things […]

Moderation in Lent

Posted on 04. Mar, 2009 in Addiction, Alcohol, Lent, Seasons of the Church Year

‘I’m off the drink for Lent’ is something we hear at this time of year, but for those for whom that it just too difficult – drinking in moderation is being encouraged.  Some people try to abstain during the week and have a drink at the week-end.  Marian Rackard addiction counsellor and psychotherapist working with […]

Pioneers & Lent

Posted on 18. Feb, 2009 in Alcohol, Lent, Seasons of the Church Year

Lent is a time for reflection and looking at our lives. It is also a time to think of the things that we could do without. And one thing that we could all reduce is alcohol. Mícheál O Muirceartaigh is a well-known football commentator who has been a pioneer all his life and this year […]

Alcohol in Moderation

Posted on 24. Dec, 2008 in Addiction, Alcohol

The common link between office parties, family gatherings and Christmas parties, is the amount of alcohol consumed in the name of having a good time.  Many families will by now have experienced the excessive drinking of someone in the house – and are dreading what might happen on Christmas Day.  Marian Rackard is an addiction […]

Ethos of St. John of God Brothers

Posted on 09. Jul, 2008 in Addiction, Alcohol, Depression, Faith and Justice, Health, Mental Health, Schizophrenia

Mention that someone is in ‘John of Gods’ and people usually assume that the person is being treated for an alcohol related problem. But there are many more services available there, under the ethos and philosophy of St. John of God – which is, “that people are the creation of God, with intrinsic value and […]

Matt Talbot Pilgrimage

Posted on 25. Jun, 2008 in Addiction, Alcohol

The annual Pioneer/Matt Talbot pilgrimage will take place to Knock Shrine on Sunday July 20th.  Matt Talbot was born in Dublin’s inner city, he started to drink at the age of 12 and soon became an alcoholic.  The story of his recovery and his subsequent sobriety has inspired people world-wide, many of whom are members […]