What Does Addiction Look Like? School of Rock Bottom 39: Raffa

Who struggles with addiction? Is it only the person you see drinking on a park bench at dawn, or could it also be a respected judge, or perhaps a Muslim grandfather? Addiction does not discriminate—it affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, culture, or background. In today’s episode, I am honored to welcome Raffa, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the recovery field. Now running a private rehab in Watford, Raffa brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the conversation. Together, we will explore the realities of addiction and recovery, challenging the harmful stereotypes that often surround them. Raffa holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling using the Arts and has extensive training in Integrative Art Psychotherapy. His unique approach offers fresh insights into what recovery can truly look like, and how we can reshape our perspectives for a more inclusive and supportive future. Key Takeaways - Diverse Faces of Addiction: Understanding that addiction affects individuals across all demographics and communities. Breaking Down Stigma: Discussing the societal narratives that hinder recovery and how we can shift towards empathy and support. Raffa’s Journey in Recovery: Insight into Raffa’s extensive experience and the lessons learned from over 20 years in the field. Vision for the Future: Raffa shares innovative ideas on how recovery can evolve, breaking down barriers within all cultures and communities. A special thank you to Raffa for her invaluable contributions and for inspiring us to think differently about addiction and recovery. Topics - 0:00 Intro 2:50 Why did Raffa pursue this career? 7:00 A calling & life purpose from a Muslim scholar 9:30 What does rock bottom look like? 14:00 The stigma of addiction in different cultures 17:30 Religion vs culture 23:30 What kind of people go to rehab & why? 33:20 Running a rehab as a Muslim 41:00 If you were a good Muslim that wouldn't happen? 44:25 A vision for the future 49:15 The healing power of compassion & forgiveness This Podcast is not for profit but my goal is to break even. To help me make more please donate here. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3kSucAs Follow Raffa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creative_recovery_workshops Follow Oliver Instagram - https://bit.ly/3IemHLY Facebook - http://bit.ly/3w8S1Gx TikTok - https://bit.ly/3YGLsYm LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/3kp4ymC Threads - https://bit.ly/3svw7yL X - http://bit.ly/3GQYj2l Listen or watch on: (please subscribe/follow & rate/review) Spotify - https://bit.ly/3YMYyWC YouTube - https://bit.ly/3X0RJzq Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ