Madam, - I read with dismay Mary Leland's highly critical review of Keep Coming Back, Rynagh O'Grady's play about recovery from drug addiction (Arts, July 17th). The production has been playing in various venues in Ireland and the UK and is scheduled to be performed at Liberty Hall during the last week in August.
This play is quite solid in its description of the kinds of childhood abuse and neglect that often "perforate the soul" of individuals who eventually develop addiction as a way to cope with the realities of life.
We know today that people develop addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, compulsive gambling, compulsive overspending, etc. for a variety of reasons - not just childhood abuse and neglect - but Keep Coming Back highlights a daily reality for many in this country.
Addiction is "soul-splitting" but it is also a condition that can be meaningfully challenged and from which individuals can and do achieve remarkable change through the process called recovery.
The courage and belief of the characters that "life is better" because of the help of Narcotics Anonymous is a message often ignored in a country with such extreme problems with addiction.
Ireland is truly a nation in denial. Keep Coming Back assists us to address that denial with skill, sensitivity and respect. - Yours, etc.,
STEPHEN ROWEN, Director, Rutland Centre, Knocklyon Road, Templeogue, Dublin 16.