Former drug addict from Mansfield who turned his life around is now helping others

A former Mansfield drug addict has turned his life around and is now heling others in his community deal with the same struggles.
By Shelley Marriott
Published 9th Nov 2022, 16:23 BST
Updated 10th Nov 2022, 08:39 BST
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Rafik Ahad, aged 35, from Mansfield, misused substances for 10 years before recovering.

He now he works for Al-Hurraya, a multi-functional charity which supports Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities with drug addictions and other hidden harms.

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Rafik turned to the Nottingham-based service after being in and out of different rehabs and support groups to battle his addiction.

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry with Rafik AhadPolice and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry with Rafik Ahad
Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry with Rafik Ahad

As a Muslim, Rafik felt as though there were many cultural barriers from the services he was using, many being within Christian churches.

It was during this time he met Asad Fazil, founder of Al-Hurraya.

In 2017, upon meeting Asad, Rafik began his journey to recovery within the service.

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He was in the programme for five years and completed their 12-step treatment plan. He has since been clean for three years.

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He said: “Al-Hurraya helped me change my life.

“The 12-step programme gave me a focus and made me become a lot more self-aware of my character defects.

“When I reached my rock bottom through addiction, Al-Hurraya helped me get into a treatment centre, gave me voluntary work and courses to be able to apply my lived experience and carry out the amazing work I do now.”

Asad founded Al-Hurraya in 2014 following his own personal recovery journey.

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He found mainstream services were not able to support him with his cultural and religious needs, which were vital in his personal recovery.

He said: “Rafik is a great example of the amazing work we do at Al-Hurraya.

“He is a great success story and example of how the right help and support can help you to live a life free from addiction.”

Caroline Henry, Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner, whose office part funds Al-Hurraya, said: “It is important people in Nottinghamshire feel as though there are services that suit their cultural needs, so they are not left without vital support in their time of need.

“Al-Hurraya does this brilliantly, and examples such as Rafik show just what a difference they can make to people’s lives.”