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Reintegration with
Self
Drug addicts, who have been using drugs for
a long time, often live in a very isolated world, cutoff from
mainstream society. Their whole life is centered on drugs
in one form or another. At first using drugs may be for fun
or to gain social acceptance it then becomes a habit and finally
a necessity for survival. Drugs are relied upon to carry addicts
through in life. The grip of addiction is such that it has
the power of placing addicts in a state of complete denial
of their problem. They often find themselves forced to manipulate
people and control things around them in order to have the
drugs at any cost. When they are alone they are often consumed
by feelings of fear and loneliness and their ability to love
others is greatly reduced.
Even at this point when the addict has hit rock bottom and
is hopeless, helpless and powerless the cycle of addiction
can be arrested and recovery is possible. Once addicts come
to realize that they are powerless over their drug addiction
and life is unmanageable, they become open to seeking alternative,
forms of help. At this stage, with the help of a caring person
a revival of hope, faith and total surrender or submission
to Allah will start the process of coming off drugs and beginning
a new life.
However, the road of recovery is not an easy one as the addict
has taken drugs to help him cope with life’s difficulties.
The pain and absence of drugs can lead to vacuum and intense
feelings of desperation and anxiety. The addict person overcomes
all the problems by participation in daily routine and goes
through stages in the treatment and rehabilitation programme
at sunny trust. He is fully supported by the Doctors, Psychologists,
and Social workers of Sunny Trust. He explores his underlying
potentials, His Existence and takes over the responsibility
of his Recovery.
Reintegration with Family
EFFECTS ON FAMILY
Families of addicts do not acknowledge that
problems exist. They don’t talk about them or confront
them as result family members learn to repress emotions and
disregard their own needs. They develop behaviors (co-dependency)
that help them deny, ignore or avoid difficult emotions. All
attention and energy are focused on the addicted individual.
In reintegrating recovering addicts with their families following
steps are taken;
• The first step is understanding and accepting co-dependency
traits.
• Instead of focusing on the addicts, shortcoming they
are taught to recognize their own negative traits and make
efforts to change them
• Family members are prepared to make a new beginning
based on trust.
• Efforts are made to discuss issues related to the
families, planning activities for the future and discussing
problems honestly and openly, listening to his views and suggestion
helps bring the family closer and makes the recovering person
feel that he is a part of the family
• The family members consciously make efforts to gradually
reassign responsibilities to the recovering individuals.
• Involving in hobbies to recovering addicts by family
provides a feeling of self-worth and a sense of accomplishment.
• Family members accept that it will take time for him
to change positively. It is highly desirable to be patient
and allow the recovering person to recover at his own pace
Reintegration with Society
EFFECTS ON SOCIETY
The drug problem has proven to be one of
the latest challenges to face mankind. There is no simple
formula to solve it and it continues to defy various efforts
and programs to control it. It is deeply rooted and indeed
requires sustained and long term holistic solutions involving
not only family, Government but no less important society.
The Islamic approach which advocates the well being of the
totality of what constitutes the human being could and should
be able to significantly assist in combating the drug problem.
The Community can play an important role
in recovery through its social organization where a great
deal of emphasis is placed upon togetherness, unity, support
and regular meetings at common points. In different settings
the activities are in accordance with the needs of community
and the situation. Social organization fulfills a number of
purposes by providing opportunities to all drug addicts in
recovery, irrespective of status and social standing, enabling
them to learn new skills and assume new roles and responsibilities.
Among these are learning to interact and relate to others
as well as exchanging life experiences for the addict. This
activity often empowers an addict to take on responsibilities
which will give him a status in society and among their peers
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 organized and learn new life skills, leading to
a change in the quality of one’s thinking, feeling and
action.
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