By Yohanna Abdullah
Faizal Bin Abdul Rahim struggled with addiction for 15 years
Years spent under lock and key
Bed is just cold cement floor
But fellow friends keep each other warm
Along with addiction he suffered from mental illness
Beside being addicted he was depressed since his early 20s
“Maybe it was due to academic pressure by parents
I was good in music and sports
But those days good grades were very important
To my parents, both teachers”
Rehabilitation is not easy for hard core addicts
Temptation is great and compelling
Wasted away his 20s and 30s
Divorced his wife of one year
A beloved childhood girlfriend
Not wanting to drag her into his hell
From heroin to subutex to methamphetamine, benztropine to valium
Anything to give him a high
He came back in soon after coming out of the Drug Rehabilitation Centre
Physical training did not cure addiction
Frequent urine checks found him relapsing
Worried, parents sent him to an Indonesian religious school
The pesantren increased his knowledge of Islam
But it did not help solve his inner conflict
As years passed the rehab improved
With counsellors and psychologists stepping in
Faizal went to a hypnotherapy course
He himself learnt counselling in 2015
And recently he received his degree at 49
Best of all he met his former wife
Both had re-married and divorced a spouse each
Both embraced the love they had for each other
Never lost
True love
Destiny brings two hearts
She was sweet 17
He was 21
Even though it has been 31 years apart
Now engaging in post-graduate studies
He is blessed to be a counsellor at Club HEAL
A place for lost souls
Burdened with a past
Family is the key, he said
For his never gave up on him
Family is there to listen to you
To share your pain
And pray for your gain
Mak was convinced he will recover in the end
Bapak always reminded him to be with Allah
Hear us out
Never judge
As for every one of us
Care for ourselves
And everything will fall into place
Love and be loved
11.5.18
Yohanna Abdullah is a writer and editor for Club HEAL. She has published four books for Club HEAL. She enjoys creative expression and she looks at life with wonder and love. She is a passionate mental health advocate. She is also a loving mother of two.
Salam,
I’m Haryati Sophia. I am inspired by your achivement, your determination of changing. I know it’s never been easy but You have succeed. Well done. Another MAN inspiration story even in Woman’s Prison Poster. My question, where is the WOMAN INSPIRATION STORY? Ain’t there Woman Inspiration story like yours. Or not enough sponsor for WOMAN? Just curious. Anyway, looking forward for Woman Stories. The “DIAMOND” to be place at the right shelf to SPARK. Nevertheless, I strongly agree, “FAMILY IS KING”
Haryati Sophia
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Salaam sis, thanks for your affirmation!! YES, we would love to feature a woman’s story too!! InshaAllah soon sis 🙂
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