“When there is a Will, there is a Way; this is True for Recovering from Addiction”
I am KABANDA Emmanuel, who was formerly addicted to alcohol, but I made a painful yet reasonable decision to recover from self-inflicted addiction. I live in Kigali Sector, Nyabugogo Cell, Gatare Village. For almost a year, I have been traveling to Purpose Rwanda to attend spiritual services, teachings, individual or group counseling every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. I usually take a bus from Kinyonyi to Nyabugogo, and then another bus from Nyabugogo to Remera Bus Park. Sometimes, I use a motorcycle to ensure I arrive on time. I do all of this because I understand the impact of addiction on my life, my family, and the community I live in.
I was born into a family and religion where drinking was allowed, and I was initiated into drinking at the age of one year old. Alcohol consumption was as common as drinking water in my environment. This was a stark statement of Emmanuel. Emmanuel is a recovering addict who began his journey to recovery at Purpose Rwanda in October 2023. After consistently attending Purpose Rwanda’s spiritual services every Wednesday for the past seven months, Emmanuel’s life has undergone significant transformation.
By the age of 20, I was employed and had the means to purchase any type of alcohol I desired to consume on a daily basis. This only worsened my situation as I became fully addicted over the years, says Emmanuel.
Several years ago, someone introduced me to a Church where people sought healing from alcohol through prayer. Despite praying fervently with the intention of quitting alcohol, I was unable to overcome my addiction through prayer alone.
In 2023, I met Alice, a Watchwoman at Purpose Rwanda, who informed me about Purpose Rwanda’s initiatives in helping individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Intrigued by the prospect of receiving assistance, I promptly expressed interest and joined Purpose Rwanda.
Upon joining Purpose Rwanda, I was warmly welcomed. Alongside other newcomers, we were introduced to the purpose and objectives of Purpose Rwanda, specifically how it aids individuals battling addictions such as alcohol, drugs, and sex. Witnessing the impact of Purpose Rwanda’s programs, I eagerly embarked on my recovery journey. Thanks to my time spent at Purpose Rwanda, I have gradually refrained from consuming alcohol and now find joy in guiding others on the perils of excessive drinking and how to quit gradually.
Before discovering Purpose Rwanda, I faced numerous challenges that I continuously prayed to overcome. These obstacles included:
– Misusing funds primarily for purchasing alcohol rather than proper planning.
– Neglecting self-care due to my alcohol issues, resulting in a poor physical appearance.
– Strained relationships with my wife and family members due to disagreements about my lifestyle.
– Inattentiveness to my responsibilities as a father to my children.
– Engaging in conflicts with community members leading to senseless fights.
– Strained relations with neighbors stemming from alcohol abuse.
– Mental and physical health issues affecting my decision-making abilities.
According to KABANDA Emmanuel, a number of aspects became critical turning points in his journey of recovery since he met with Purpose Rwanda and started receiving its services. These include:
– Acknowledging the lesson learned at Purpose Rwanda that every human being is created with a purpose transformed my self-perception and outlook on life.
– Finding inspiration through reading the Bible further catalyzed positive changes in my life.
– Gaining new knowledge and insights during weekly sessions at Purpose Rwanda.
– Drawing strength from fellow attendees sharing similar struggles and confronting addiction collectively.
– Deriving courage and motivation from testimonies shared by peers, empowering me to tackle my struggles.
Reflecting on the past four months, Emmanuel’s improved relationship with his children stands as a testament to his progress. His children, once fearful due to his lack of sobriety, now engage in meaningful conversations that foster growth and experience paternal love and care.
Turning points were further seen in experiencing some clarity in my life, says Emmanuel, in the following ways:
– I use my money in a correct way: for the welfare of my family rather than drinking, which was the case in the past.
– I involve my wife in decision-making on how to use the money I raise from my business. My wife can suggest solutions to problems they need to address together, which was not the case before.
– I strongly believe that my clothing business has the potential for increased income and capital, which I think can be upgraded to a wholesale business.
In the journey of recovery, I feel immense support from my family, friends, and fellow recovering addicts. These are what Emmanuel has to say:
– His brother and sister, who came from Zambia to visit him, are happy to see the positive changes in his life compared to before.
– He and his wife have agreed that every Wednesday, he will not work but instead dedicate the day to attending spiritual services at Purpose Rwanda. She also reminds him about the service day every Tuesday.
– His friends sometimes try to offer him alcohol, but he declines their offers, even though this does not make them happy. Eventually, they realized they cannot force him other than respecting his choice and decision.
– While socializing with friends at drinking joints, he opts for soft drinks instead of alcohol, which his friends find difficult to understand and support. This remains a challenge, but God will see me through because it’s my choice to quit alcohol.
– His fellow recovering addicts provide support and encouragement as they share their experiences of recovery and relationships with family members, which gives him additional strength.
When asked how he feels emotionally and mentally in relation to his past traumas in confronting his inner demons and ultimately finding healing and self-acceptance, Emmanuel had this to say:
– Emotionally, he now has a clear path and the ability to control his emotions without turning to alcohol for answers when facing challenges. He has vowed not to use any alcohol substitutes, including energy drinks, as coping mechanisms for emotional issues.
– Mentally, he feels much better without hangovers or headaches due to alcohol abuse, and he now thinks more positively. He dedicates more time to analyzing situations and making decisions with his wife.
– He has accepted himself as he truly is. Someone who was addicted, now recovering and not turning back.
Emmanuel says he feels he has made some critical milestones because of the following progress and achievements he has made during the recovery process:
– His goal of sustaining sobriety, almost a year since joining Purpose Rwanda, is close to being achieved as he can resist temptations such as offering visitors some little beers without partaking himself.
– His relationships with his family have significantly improved. He feels respect, trust, and love from his family, and these have been the best moments in his life.
– The community acknowledges the positive changes in his behavior, and he can now engage in discussions and problem-solving rather than resorting to fighting.
– His ultimate goals include growing his business into a wholesaler and eventually expanding it into a large-scale enterprise.
Emmanuel has a message of Hope and Inspiration to those still struggling with substance use disorders:
– His hope is to inspire others to overcome addiction and its negative consequences, such as mental health problems, family conflicts, societal stigma, and loss of purpose in life.
– The adverse effects of alcohol on his education, financial planning, relationships, and self-respect motivate him to advise others on the dangers of addiction.
– That if anyone wants to progress in life, build good family relations and development, have good physical and mental health, avoid conflicts with the family and the community, stay addiction-free.
– He emphasizes the importance of taking life seriously and avoiding addictions that disrupt one’s purpose and well-being, advocating for a life aligned with God-given purpose.
– He has this word for those who fear to ask for help due to stigma: Go to Purpose Rwanda, no one will be judged.
Purpose Rwanda means: Together we can build a Purposeful and Addiction-Free Generation.