Hamid Hashmi
I was born in 1960, a time when the world was full of promise and opportunities. Little did I know that my life would take a dark turn, leading me down a path of addiction and despair.
It all started innocently enough in 1979 when I began experimenting with hashish and alcohol. It provided a temporary escape from the pressures and challenges of life. But as time went on, the allure of hashish and alcohol faded, and I found myself yearning for something stronger, something more powerful. In 1981, I made the fateful decision to try heroin.
That decision would change the course of my life forever. Heroin took hold of me like a merciless predator. The vicious cycle began: constantly arranging resources to obtain the drug, using it in secrecy, and hiding it from those who cared about me. I became a master of deception, lying, stealing, and betraying the trust of my loved ones.
My addiction consumed every aspect of my being, leaving no room for responsibilities or personal growth. As the months turned into years, the fleeting moments of pleasure that heroin provided became shorter and shorter. The grip of addiction tightened its hold, and I was unable to break free.
Education, once a priority, fell by the wayside as I chased the next high. I watched my dreams crumble before my eyes, replaced by a relentless pursuit of the drug. The struggle to escape this vicious cycle was tremendous. I attempted cold turkey withdrawals, enduring excruciating physical and emotional pain. I sought help from professionals, undergoing detoxifications that offered temporary relief but failed to address the underlying issues. I even tried leaving the country, hoping that a change of scenery would help me break free from the clutches of heroin. But every attempt ended in failure, as I found myself trapped in the never-ending cycle of addiction.
Depression, darkness, and hopelessness surrounded me. It felt as if there was no way out, no light at the end of the tunnel. But in 1991, a glimmer of hope appeared when I made the decision to enroll myself in a rehabilitation center inspired by the principles of recovery.
It was within those walls that I found the support and guidance I desperately needed. During my time in treatment, I received immense support from the staff and owner himself. After some time in recovery I was offered to join the same rehabilitation center as an under-training counselor which I gladly took.
Later after some years I started pursuing my education and earned an MBA, which helped me regain my self-respect and dignity. My parents were proud and satisfied with my progress. Life after treatment was a challenge. I tried multiple jobs and businesses, but none of them sparked any passion within me. That's when Dr. Humayoun, a psychologist who was a faculty member at the same center I was treated in, approached me with a life-changing proposition.
He suggested that we start our own rehabilitation center, one that would provide comprehensive support and care to addicts who were willing and motivated to change. In that moment, Roshan Raasta Rehabilitation Center was born. For the past 17 years, we have been running the center, offering a lifeline to both underprivileged and privileged individuals fighting against addiction. Our mission is to provide them with the tools, support, and guidance needed to rebuild their lives and rediscover their true potential.
Through Roshan Raasta, I have witnessed countless lives being transformed. I have seen the spark of hope reignite in the eyes of those who had lost all faith. Together with a dedicated team, we strive to break the cycle of addiction and create a community where individuals can heal, grow, and thrive.
My own journey from the depths of despair to becoming a mentor and advocate for recovery has given my life new purpose. I am proof that with the RIGHT SUPPORT, determination, and a belief in oneself, anyone can overcome addiction and find a brighter, more fulfilling future.