Shamil shares the story of his journey to recovery
My name is Shamil, and I am in long-term recovery from addiction. My journey has been marked by struggle, resilience, and hope. At my lowest point, I was homeless, sleeping on the streets, and battling a severe experience with addiction. I was diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and suffered multiple seizures. By the age of 35, I had been to rehab four times and I was hospitalised 11 times. My turning point came when I decided to seek help after my last drink and drug use while staying in a hostel where substance use was rampant.
Accessing NHS and healthcare services was a lifeline for me. The medical care I received saved my life, but the journey wasn’t without challenges. I often felt stigmatised, as if my condition was seen as a moral failing rather than a health issue. This stigma made it harder to open up and trust the system.
To make the experience more positive, I hope that healthcare professionals could approach addiction with more empathy and less judgement. Training staff to understand addiction as a disease, not a choice, would help reduce stigma. I believe creating a safe, non-judgmental space for patients to share their struggles is crucial.
To those reluctant to seek help: recovery is possible. It’s hard, but you’re worth it. Surround yourself with support, whether through AA, healthcare services, or loved ones.
To healthcare professionals: treat every patient with dignity. Your compassion can be the difference between someone giving up or finding hope. Recovery is a journey, and your support can light the way.
Today, I work alongside the NHS, giving back and proving that change is possible. My story is one of hope, and I hope it inspires others to believe in theirs.
Addiction to alcohol can affect anyone—patients, loved ones, and even colleagues. It isn’t always obvious, and stigma often prevents people from seeking help when they need it most. By showing understanding, we can create a more supportive environment where individuals feel respected, listened to, and able to access support without fear of judgement.
Did you know? We have created a training guide to support people working in healthcare to access useful resources and training focused on reducing stigma around co-occurring conditions.
Find out more about the actions you can take here:
Start the conversation. Break the stigma.