Positive Peer Support is Essential for the Recovery Journey

Maintaining relationships—especially with good friends, family, loved ones, and connections within society—is an essential part of a substance user's recovery journey. Positive peer support plays a crucial role in helping individuals with substance use disorders decide what is right for them. It is common for those in recovery to face social stigma and discrimination, often stemming from punitive rules and negative community mindsets. This stigma arises from the false belief that drug use is a moral issue. However, by ensuring human rights and promoting positive reinforcement, individuals on the path to recovery can overcome stigma, stay drug-free, and lead healthier lives.

Speakers discussed these points during a webinar organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission's Monojonto Kendra Outdoor Counseling Center in honor of International Recovery Day. The event was held on Sunday, September 29, at 4 p.m.

The webinar was moderated by Iqbal Masud, Member of the National Drug Prevention Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and featured esteemed speakers, including Dr. Kazi Lutfur Kabir, Resident Psychiatrist at the Central Drug Addiction Treatment Center; Assistant Professor Shahinur Hossain, Chairman of the Department of Clinical Psychology at Dhaka University; Tanvir Ahmed, a Certified Recovery Coach; and Rakhi Ganguly, Senior Psychologist at Dhaka Ahsania Mission's Health Sector. Additionally, individuals in recovery shared their personal challenges and experiences in overcoming them.

During the webinar, the speakers emphasized that living a drug-free life is a process of improving one’s health and well-being. Recovery is a self-directed journey that empowers individuals to reach their full potential. The recovery process is unique for everyone and can take many different paths, including counseling, clinical treatment, medication, spiritually-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other methods.

The paths to recovery from problematic drug use are highly diverse, but it is possible to live a drug-free life. Peers often play a key role in helping individuals overcome obstacles in their recovery journey and inspire them to achieve their goals.