Programme is beneficial for people in addiction recovery

A GROUP of nine people in addiction recovery from across Tallaght recently graduated from a 12-week health and fitness programme at a ceremony in Westside Boxing Club in Brookfield.

The programme, called Box Smart, is an initiative of Tallaght Rehabilitation Project (TRP) and supports people on their recovery journey through exercise, nutrition and overall wellbeing.

The participants were put through their paces by a qualified coach, Craig O’Brien, and TRP staff members over the course of Box Smart.

Pat Daly, the manager of TRP, told The Echo: “We had nine clients who graduated this year from the Box Smart module.

“They said that, as part of their overall recovery, they found it very beneficial because it’s not only physical, it’s really good for physical and mental health and that, combined with the therapeutic work in TRP, is a really good ingredient.

“A lot of them thought they wouldn’t be able to do it and wouldn’t be able for it, but after four or five weeks they got more confident.”

The module is a whole-body initiative, which includes a nutritious diet plan for all participants so they can feel the benefits both physically and mentally from eating right and fuelling their boxing.

The participants are typically in mid-recovery, meaning they are drug and alcohol free or are embarking on reducing prescription medication that was prescribed in early recovery.

Box Smart, now in its eighth year, gives the participants a new outlet for them to tackle the next stage of their recovery journey.

“This is the eighth year we’ve had the module, and every year it’s a different group,” added Mr Daly.

“You see people coming in at their lowest ebb, but then you see the physical and psychological changes in them and Box Smart is a big part of that.

“It’s very uplifting and, as the manager of TRP, I’m very proud of the module as part of our overall programme for recovery.”

Funded by the HSE through the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Box Smart is now a permanent aspect of TRP’s recovery programme.

For further information on TRP, which is based in Kiltalown House, Jobstown, visit tallaghtrehabproject.ie or call 01 4597705.