I have recently joined the MyTazkiyah program since I have a problem. I came across a beautiful story and I thought I should share it here:

...It was my own shortcomings, my character defects, my conditioning, and my connection with Allah that kept me in the bondage of addiction. Finally I realised, it was an inside job.

I had to let go of the old ideas and develop a new way of life. I started to work the stages, built a network of recovery and started to take care of my mental and spiritual health. Through the program i was able to get closer to Allah, I was able to trust Him and realise He swt was not out there to get me. In fact He The Most Merciful of those who show mercy wanted me to turn to Him, rely on Him, and surrender to Him Azza Wajjal. As Allah mentions in the Quran: “And Allah desires that He should turn to you (mercifully), and those who follow (their) lusts desire that you should deviate (with) a great deviation” (4:27). I came to that point where i could walk around freely knowing that Allah has taken care of me, he is taking care of me and always will. I let go of trying to quit this addiction on my own and handed myself over to Him to keep me sober, happy and free.

Today i can say i am a sober and happy man. My marriage is back on track, intimacy with my spouse is the best it’s ever been and i try to keep conscious contact with Allah throughout my day. I wake up and ask Him to keep me sober for the day. When i see my character defects surface during the day, i check in with someone. If i feel triggered by anyone i pray for that person, I ask Allah to grant them the best in the dunya and aakirah.  At the end of the day i thank him for keeping me sober and then read my adkhaar and go to sleep. I believe this addiction has been a blessing in disguise for me as it has brought me closer to my Creator and what more can one ask for in this world. “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)