‘Recovery is just the beginning’, ‘You are not alone’
Kuwait urges stronger support for former addicts, promotes hope and reintegration
- During the seminar, Dr. Al-Sahl outlined five key challenges commonly faced by recovering addicts: balancing positive and negative behaviors, overcoming pessimistic thoughts, moving beyond the past, developing self-control, and rebuilding trust and acceptance within society.
Emphasizing that recovery from addiction marks the beginning of a new life rather than the end of a difficult journey, the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday organized a seminar titled “The Repentant Addict” at the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies as part of the national anti-drug awareness campaign.
The seminar brought together religious scholars, mental health specialists and addiction experts, who stressed that sustained support from families, communities and state institutions is essential to help recovering addicts rebuild their lives and prevent relapse.
Representing the Insan Charitable Society, preacher Dr. Othman Al-Khamis said recovery is the first step toward reclaiming one’s future and should be accompanied by sincere repentance, determination and faith.
He described addiction as a serious threat to religion, the mind, the individual and the family, calling for collective efforts to confront the problem. Al-Khamis encouraged recovering addicts not to lose hope, reminding them that they are not alone and that society has a responsibility to guide and support them on the path to recovery.
Former Dean of the College of Education and mental health consultant Dr. Rashid Al-Sahl said addiction affects societies worldwide and warned against viewing recovery as the final destination. Instead, he described it as the start of a lifelong commitment to positive change.
He urged recovering addicts to demonstrate their transformation through actions rather than words, avoid situations that could trigger relapse, and benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy to reinforce healthy habits and decision-making.
Dr. Adel Al-Zayed, consultant psychiatrist and former director of the Addiction Treatment Center, explained that addiction is medically recognized as a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder with a risk of relapse.
He distinguished between healing and recovery, noting that recovery focuses on managing the condition and reducing its harmful effects rather than eliminating it completely. He stressed that continued support and self-discipline are vital to maintaining long-term recovery.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Badr Al-Bashir, head of the Psychiatric Committee at the Bashayer Al-Khair Association, described maintaining repentance and avoiding relapse as the greatest challenge for recovering addicts.
He said the association works closely with the Addiction Treatment Center and the Central Prison to provide rehabilitation and reintegration programs that help recovering individuals return to society with renewed confidence and a positive outlook.
Concluding the seminar, Badr Hussein Al-Mazeed, Director of the Office of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, said addiction remains one of society’s most pressing challenges and requires cooperation between government agencies, civil society organizations and families.
He emphasized that prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration are equally important in helping recovering addicts remain drug-free and become productive members of society.
During the seminar, Dr. Al-Sahl also outlined five key challenges commonly faced by recovering addicts: balancing positive and negative behaviors, overcoming pessimistic thoughts, moving beyond the past, developing self-control, and rebuilding trust and acceptance within society.
