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Active Drug Addiction to Recovery: Is It A Possibility?
Alibor Choudhury & Abul Hussain The
empowering role of faith in the recovery from hard drugs is an
under-explored area. From an
experiential approach, the writers explore how drug addicts from Muslim
backgrounds have used various aspects of Islamic worship to break away
from the vicious cycle of drug addiction.
They discuss the emotional and social realties of drug using
experiences and argue for a change in perception towards drug addicts and
the inclusion of faith-based training for drug services. When
we hear of drug related problems, often there is a strong sense of
hopelessness, sorrow and some times anger directed towards drug users. Drug users are rarely thought of in a positive or empathic
light. Even the term ‘drug
user’ provokes strong assumptions in our minds.
These assumptions are usually accompanied by horror stories of
broken family dynamics, crime and violence.
Social warnings are also transmitted through many public mediums.
They inform us that drug users are a menace to society and that they
should be kept out of sight. The
media has perhaps been the most influential factor in maintaining this
prejudice, while our ignorance has also played a part.
This negative view has often prevented awareness of success stories
in which, drug users have helped themselves become free from addiction.
While community drug services may not hold derogatory views of
their users, they have not been active in their attempts to acknowledge or
counter the stigma. This has
led drug services of different types to come under some degree of
criticism. Despite
these setbacks, another side has been emerging; a side where some drug
users have broken through. These
drug users have successfully challenged the generally held stereotypical
view that psychosocial problems associated with drug use are terminal. Their inner life experiences; their remarkable stories of
recovery, remain valuable sources of information for drug services and an
inspiration to many suffering from addiction to drugs. Life in Active Drug Addiction Many
addicts have, at some point in their lives, attempted to stay clean or use
in moderation, but this often fails, causing pain and misery.
This occupation makes them unemployed or non-employable.
Helplessness, emptiness and fear can then become an addict’s way of
life. This leads to a constant search for an answer - a person, place or
object that will make everything all right.
Only too often addicts have distraught emotional pasts or social
circumstances. This results
in the need for gratification (or distraction) of some kind.
Gratification is then found in drugs because of their mind-altering
properties and as they successfully cover unwanted feelings.
Drugs also have the potential to stimulate feelings of warmth and
security, albeit short-term and somewhat false.
The Transition These
initial stages of recovery are periods of extreme vulnerability.
Many addicts experience mixed feelings.
They may feel cut off from their previous culture and drug using
peers, which now have become potential risks towards relapse.
Feelings of guilt and fear can accompany this desertion of friends.
The environment as a whole can appear quite different and at times,
threatening. This experience can make addicts re-experience old feelings
that were felt during drug use, and cause a loss of perspective.
While this emotional distancing can lead to confusion and social
withdrawal, it is not constant. Abstinence has its rewards too.
Many also describe feelings of awesome awakening of their senses
and a desire for active and meaningful living.
Freedom from drugs is experienced as freedom from enslavement of
some kind. This is when addicts become ready to explore new and healthy
ways of coping. They begin to look for support in a community that is
different and accepting. Many
turn to psychotherapy, support groups, after-care hospital meetings, yoga,
Buddhism and others reach out to Islam. Life in Recovery Here are some of the ways in which Islamic ideas are conceptualised. Due to the obsessive nature of drug addiction, addicts may have behaved in an inappropriate manner, leaving them feeling guilty, exposed and ostracised. This can often prevent them from mentally moving on and reintegrating back in society. This has been helped with verses in Quran such as: “And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (4:110). Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (on him be peace) also provide a way forward: "Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea” (Bukhari). This helps addicts regain Allah’s acceptance, which enables them to overcome feelings of guilt and self-victimisation. Addicts often assume that their past drug using behaviour is significantly sinful that it will prevent them from doing any acts of good and so hinder the recovery. This has been supported by the verses: “And as to those who believe and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards; and Allah does not love the unjust” (3:57) and “The good deed and evil deed are not equal. Repel (evil) with what is better..” (41.34). This encourages continued efforts towards self-development (tarbiyya), while working through unwanted experiences of the past. It is important to highlight that the mentioning of sins in the verses are not always negative, as the position of sins can be taken as a motivation towards change. Nor is asking for forgiveness from Allah a shortcoming. This understanding can also be a way of gaining encouragement in the seeking of Divine help, while keeping in touch with ones inner thoughts. Other verses in the Quran also provide emotional security and spiritual guidance such as: “(Allah says) Remember Me and I shall remember you..” (2:152) and “…I am indeed near to them. I respond to the prayers of my supplicant when he calls upon Me” (2:186). Along side these are also Bukhari hadith such as: “I am as my servant thinks of Me…and if he draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length… and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed” and “Two of the qualities which Allah loves are gentleness and self-restraint”. The following hadith Qudsi (divine hadith) also has significant meaning for those in the early part of recovery: “When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: My mercy prevails over My wrath” (Bukhari). Intimacy with Allah and endurance in recovery is further strengthened from what Allah says about those who remain grateful of His blessings: “If you give thanks, I will give you more” (14:7). This helps with the constant remembrance of Allah’s presence and the need to stay connected with Divinity. These spiritual principles help addicts find a way to draw nearer to Allah for respite and rehabilitation. This awareness helps them discover a Higher Power that is constant (the Al-Hai), to which they are able to turn to for support and recognition. Another important role that Islam plays in recovery is through its social organisation, where a great deal of emphasis is placed upon togetherness (jumm’ah) and regular meetings at places of worship, such as mosques. This fulfills a number of purposes. Among these are learning to interact/relate to others as well as exchanging life experiences. For the addict, this social meeting becomes a stepping-stone towards gaining social acceptance and integration into society. Along with this, invitation (da’wah) to others to the way of Islam is also an aspect that is promoted. This encourages people from various parts of society to become actively involved in different branches of Islam in their local community. This activity often empowers addicts to take on roles and responsibilities. Essentially, this becomes a way of putting back into the community that which was once taken out. This engagement helps addicts develop a network of social support and participate in community development initiatives. Equally, this also inspires them to become organised and learn new life skills, leading to a change in the quality of one’s thinking, feeling and being. Addicts are often asked to contribute in this medium because of their life experiences and the ability to empathise with social problems. They soon start to become valued and are seen as positive example for others to learn from. Their transformation speaks volumes about the role of Islam and the importance of peer support - the brotherhood (ikhwan). The need for supportive brotherhood cannot be emphasised enough, as self-will alone cannot carry one through the recovery process. The role of supportive and tolerant families is also crucial. They play a pivotal role in the addicts motivation towards the maintenance of change and reinforcement of growth. Ultimately, having experienced the awakening message of Islam, addicts then start to carry and take the message of hope to others who suffer from addiction to drugs. The Way Forward We should not also forget that those who have recovered from the afflictions of drug abuse, have done so only by the help of Allah aza wajjal, Who is the Infinitely Good, the Most Merciful. Alibor
Choudhury, BA (Hon) Social Policy and Politics.
He is Chair of the Multi Agency Drugs Committee, New Deal for
Communities, London, UK Abul Hussain, BA (Hon) International Social Work Studies.
He is a Social Worker for a Community Mental Health in East London,
UK © Alibor Choudhury
& Abul Hussain Contact Abul Hussain |