What makes the lives of Gen Z “bussin’” is chilling out with friends, partying all night, blowing away worries in the smoke of cigarettes, shisha, and whatnot, killing boredom with Netflix, and showcasing it all on social media to cultivate a “cool” image, as if living a high-key life. Today’s culture can be summed up as all-consuming, corrupting, seductive, and deceptive. The world has become dopaminergic, with people mindlessly pursuing instant gratification in almost every aspect of life. Whether it’s psychological or physical needs, we’ve conditioned our minds to seek instantaneous pleasure.
As there is no straight line to success, there are no shortcut ways to meet our needs and live our lives. But it is a sorry state of affairs that we tend to look for shortcuts and temporary ways to satisfy our desires. Marriage is considered a huge responsibility, whereas dating is an easy way to meet physical needs. Instead of confronting life’s challenges head-on, we resort to drugs to escape reality. Pornography is our go-to source of pleasure, rather than spending quality time with family. These things have been marketed and sugar coated on all media platforms, to the extent that they have become normal and are no longer considered taboos by the youth. The repercussions of this modernity are evident: our hearts have become slaves to various forces that dominate our minds. Addictions to social media, digital devices, Netflix, sexual content, and drugs have engulfed society at all levels.
Addiction is similar to a trap where a person can neither find an escape nor seek any pleasure. It is a state where one suffers pain where he anticipated pleasure to be, grief where he expected joy to be, and sadness where he believes happiness to be. There is no denying the fact that human beings are created with the desires of eating, drinking, relaxing, and having intimate relationships. These desires are natural and beneficial. But what happens when one starts to lose self-control? The person then reaches the point where he becomes a slave to his addiction, and it is necessary for him to survive and function. There would be no turning back from one line becoming two, two becoming four, four becoming a gram, and so on.
Here are some measures that can be a source of help and guide the individual towards quitting an addiction and starting over.
Understanding the Assignment
Nothing worthwhile can be achieved without understanding why it is being pursued. Quitting an addiction is no exception. From schooling to choosing careers, getting married to building a family, and recognizing weaknesses to welcoming positive change, all paths in life begin with a single step. That first step is acknowledging the need for something—whether it’s schooling to get an education or marriage to extend a family line. Similarly, the first step in quitting an addiction is realising and accepting that we’re straying from the right path, harming ourselves psychologically, spiritually, and physically, and need to conquer this addiction. Addictions like smoking, drinking, and pornography have become mainstream in the name of fun and entertainment and are no longer viewed as toxic traits. Therefore, the initial baby step in this journey is realising that addiction is no joke, and change and correction are needed.
Believing is Winning
Losing self-confidence is one of the worst losses an addiction can cause. Our defeat is decided the moment we feel we’re no longer worthy of anything good. Have confidence in yourself and channel your guilt into strength. View your weakness as an opportunity to fuel your courage and become the best version of yourself. In our religion, everything is based on niyyah (intention), and so is defeating an addiction. People have conquered the unachievable by sheer willpower. Thus, one should have deep and unwavering conviction that they can and will overcome this addiction.
Being “Delulu” is Not the “Solulu”
Ignoring reality won’t change it. Resilience in the face of turmoil is the only solution. For that, you need to be thoroughly aware of the harmful consequences of addiction in all areas of life. It’s crucial to understand that addictions impair everything they touch—both physically and spiritually. Ask yourself questions like: Why is this addiction forbidden in our religion? What virtues are lost, and what vices are gained? How are relationships being negatively affected? What toll has it taken on my mental and physical health? Answering these questions will make you realise that one fleeting sinful pleasure is robbing you of experiencing all the other joys life offers.
Touching Grass
When devices turn into vices, it’s crucial to “touch grass.” Similarly, when deception isn’t redemption, it’s time to step back into reality. Understand that you weren’t born to be dictated by desires and addictions. Life is an amanah (safekeeping) and has a greater purpose than wasting it on addictions that neither benefit you in this life nor the next. You only live once, so having goals in life—something to look forward to—is essential for fulfilment and contentment. A meaningful life will inspire you to overcome your addictions. Thus, fighting addiction should be one of your goals. Set realistic, achievable goals, and reward yourself when you reach them. Accomplishing goals gives a sense of achievement and positive energy to keep battling the addiction. Moreover, you’ll experience the joy of conquering and subduing the enemy nafs (self).
Keeping Your Triggers at Bay
Half the battle is knowing what to avoid. Every addiction starts with, “There’s no harm in trying it once.” Therefore, a single trigger could be enough to lose this fight. Drugs are often introduced by friends, so it’s important to be mindful of who you hang out with. Keeping the same friends who led you into this mess won’t help you out of it. Since much time is spent online, being cautious of virtual interactions is even more crucial.
Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (RA) reported:
“I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, “The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some free of charge, or you would buy it from him, or you smell its pleasant fragrance; and as for the one who blows the bellows (ie, the blacksmith), he either burns your clothes or you smell a repugnant smell”. [Al- Bukhari, Muslim]
A good circle of friends can be life-changing. Your life can improve drastically when you’re in the company of good and devout people.
Welcoming Help
When secrecy becomes exhausting, asking for help is necessary. Sometimes, confiding in a trusted family member or loved one, or seeking professional or medical help, is indispensable in overcoming addiction. Consistent emotional support and motivation from someone can make this journey a bit easier. Additionally, in this digital age, there’s a wealth of content online to assist those looking to break free from addiction. From lectures to motivational talks, podcasts to recovery stories, there’s ample guidance available.
Connecting to the Creator
What’s even more dangerous than addiction is believing that Allah (SWT) won’t forgive you. Having an addiction isn’t as sinful as thinking you’re beyond forgiveness. Nothing is more powerful than connecting with the Almighty. Nothing is as cathartic as pouring out your frustrations and pain through the tears of repentance. Nothing is as relieving as talking to the One who loves you like no other. So, no matter your sins, keep turning back to Allah (SWT) every time you stumble. Trust your inner strength and continue doing other good deeds. Never let Shaytan come between you and righteousness. Don’t let one sin make you give up on other good deeds, thinking, “What’s the point if I’m still a sinner?” A sinner needs more good deeds than a pious person.
“Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds” [Quran 11:114]
Therefore, never doubt your self-worth in the eyes of Allah (SWT).
Moderation is Key
“Just chill, dude” isn’t the answer to life’s challenges, least of all addiction. Moderation is a hallmark of Islam. Either extreme—hopelessness or complete liberation from restrictions—will do more harm than good. To combat addiction, a balanced and pragmatic approach is essential. Remember that humans aren’t born perfect and are prone to mistakes. You might fall back into the same sin, but what’s important is sincere repentance and determination not to repeat it. The door to forgiveness is always open—you just have to knock. Quit, and give it your all—effort, willpower, and determination.
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) having said:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them” [Sahih Muslim – 2749]
To give the gist, our lives begin to end the day we become stagnant on the matters that need change. An antidote will always be there, if you want it bad enough. Recovering from addiction is no different. Once the addiction has consumed you from the inside out, the only thing that can do wonders is an indomitable willpower.
