In Afghanistan recovery from addiction means a new chance at life

Kabul, Afghanistan – Nargis, 26,* grew up in Guzara district, Herat province, where poverty shaped much of her childhood. At 15, she married a much older man and soon gave birth to her first son, Jawid. She had hoped motherhood would bring stability but life remained difficult.

When she became pregnant again Nargis moved to Kabul to live with her sister, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, she found herself in a home where both her sister and brother-in-law were struggling with addiction. Isolated and vulnerable, she soon became addicted herself.

Almost nine months pregnant with a second child and with nowhere to turn, Nargis left her sister’s house and wandered the streets of Kabul. A mobile outreach team, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan, found her and offered help. These teams work in communities to support people battling substance use, providing treatment and care. They convinced Nargis to seek help at a WHO-supported female drug addiction treatment centre (DATC) in Kabul.

The female DATC, which WHO has supported since November 2023 with funding from the European Union (EU), became a turning point in Nargis’s life. The centre provides comprehensive medical services, psychological support and vocational training to help women rebuild their lives.

During her stay, Nargis gave birth to her second child, a healthy baby boy, Jamil.

“When her delivery time arrived, we admitted her to a nearby hospital for a safe delivery without any complication for herself and her baby. Since she achieved abstinence a month before delivery her baby did not experience neonatal withdrawal syndrome. She discharged immediately after delivery and returned to DATC,” explained DATC head Dr Shaista Hakim.

For patients like Nargis, recovery takes time and support. They need a range of health and social services to help them reintegrate into the community. Most women spend between 45 to 90 days at the centres, receiving medical care and skill-building training, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to help them reintegrate into society. Nargis took part in the tailoring programme which equips women with practical skills over a 3-month course. She now envisions a future in which she can support her children independently.

“I plan to start tailoring to support my kids, and I will never touch addictive substances again,” says Nargis.

Given her previous housing arrangements were not conducive to long-term recovery, DATC coordinated with social support services to offer her safe accommodation after discharge until she gains enough skills to support herself. 

Substance use and addiction are a pressing public health crisis in Afghanistan, affecting around 4 million people (10% of the population). The challenges facing female addicts are often compounded by stigma and limited access to treatment.

“WHO stands at the forefront of the fight against substance dependence, ensuring that those battling drug use disorders – especially women – receive the care and rehabilitation they deserve,” said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador. “Together with our partners and donors, we are paving the way for comprehensive rehabilitation programmes that empower people to rebuild their lives and integrate in a supportive environment.” 

WHO currently supports 12 DATCs across Afghanistan, including 4 centres specifically for women. In 2024, these efforts helped more than 2800 people complete inpatient treatment and transition into relapse prevention programmes, giving them a chance to reclaim their lives and reintegrate into their communities.

For Nargis, the journey to recovery has not been easy but with the right support she is forging a new path, taking control of her life and the future of her children. 

WHO extends its sincere gratitude to the EU, UNODC and other partners for their generous contributions which have been instrumental in enabling the implementation of this treatment and rehabilitation programme.