Following 24 years of substance abuse and addiction, Rafeeq Ferguson (41) has emerged from 13 months of successful recovery with a new mindset, zest for life and the unwavering will to help others overcome addiction.
Rafeeq attained his master’s in recovery coaching and currently practices as a recovery substance abuse coach, aiding and educating substance abuse victims and families, in an effort to curb addiction within communities.
He’s now in the process of launching his own recovery coaching Non-Profit Organisation, Skills over Substance.
He hails from Cape Town but grew up in Newclare, Johannesburg. While in Cape Town, he grew up in a household that exposed him to drugs from an early age and he began experimenting with substances at the tender age of 15.
His father was a well-known drug dealer and Rafeeq’s easy access to drugs heavily influenced his fall into early experimentation and his progression with substances.
“That’s where it started for me, growing up in a household where drugs were readily available, anywhere,” said Rafeeq. His drug use progressively intensified and worsened, seeing him try and use a variety of substances, including marijuana and crack cocaine.
“I practically did every single drug there is on the market. It progressed into a downward spiral, which I found my life in,” said Rafeeq.
At the height of his drug use, he found himself using drugs at his workplace. The substance abuse took a negative toll on his personal relationships and home life. As a result, he found himself homeless four years ago and started stealing to feed his addiction.
“I found myself being this person that I always dreaded I’d become. I found myself being this person that was heartless. I didn’t care about the people in my community. I was the problem in my community,” said Rafeeq.
His life had hit rock bottom. “But the difference between rock bottom and where I was, was the fact that I was comfortable with being rock bottom. Where I got up every morning, having nothing, but still want the high,” said Rafeeq.
His miraculous recovery and turnaround began, when just 13 months ago, he crossed paths with The R.E.C. Wellness Centre in Robertsham.
“I suppose it was a God send,” said Rafeeq. Once he went in, he embraced recovery and together with the help of the centre and his recovery mentor, Haroom ‘Skhokho’ Osman, Rafeeq experienced a transformation, both physically and mentally, which has renewed his life.
“I feel amazing, it’s just having the zest and the zeal for life right now, that’s actually just propelling me to another level,” he said.
During his recovery at R.E.C. Rafeeq was selected to study recovery coaching and addiction counselling and received his masters in recovery coaching through The Ubuntu Addiction Community Trust. Rafeeq has since adopted the motto, “Live my life, a natural high at a time.” Living clean has helped him attain and experience a ‘high’ that he believes beats the high of any drug, anytime.
Rafeeq aims to give back to his and other disadvantaged communities through educating families and children about the dangers of drug abuse and helping users overcome their addiction.
“It’s not just about dropping out of school, joining a gang, peddling drugs. It’s not about that. It’s about finishing your education, it’s about pursuing a career, it’s about helping people,” said Rafeeq.
He believes that no drug is worth the risk it may have on your life. “Put your life into perspective, look at where you are in your life, how much you’ve achieved in your life and if you think that doing any substance is gonna better you or your performance with regards to where you want to be, you’re fooling yourself,” said Rafeeq.
“Drugs always comes out the winner if you start. So, don’t start, don’t attempt it, it’s a killer,” he said.
Rafeeq’s triumphant journey of overcoming addiction is proof that it’s never too late or impossible to reclaim your life.
“My 24 years of addiction, has taught me that life can have its ups and downs, but it’s not how many times you fall, but how you pick yourself up from falling,” said Rafeeq.
He admits that recovery is a lifelong journey that has to be taken one day at a time. In an effort to counter and eradicate the addiction problem within his own community,
Rafeeq is trying to raise funds to enable him to sponsor children whose families cannot afford to send them to expensive recovery and rehabilitation centres.
Rafeeq also currently conducts personal recovery coaching sessions for recovering drug users.
For more information, you can contact Rafeeq Ferguson directly on 071 138 4243 or email him at rafeeqferguson28@gmail.com
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