ERBIL — Iraq is facing a growing drug misuse crisis, leading to a surge in the number of individuals seeking help at rehabilitation centers across the country, according to reports from these facilities.

In interviews with Kurdistan 24, two patients at rehabilitation centers in Baghdad shared their personal stories of how they fell into addiction. One patient revealed that their addiction began after receiving a medical injection post-surgery, which led to a dependency they struggled to overcome. Another patient described becoming addicted after unknowingly consuming drugs mixed into a cigarette, which eventually led them to use stronger substances.

These firsthand accounts highlight the profound impact of drug addiction on individuals' lives, as many recount losing their dreams, breaking family ties, and experiencing the complete destruction of their lives due to illicit drugs. The rising number of drug users in Iraq underscores the severity of the problem, with many seeking help from rehabilitation and treatment centers in hopes of recovery.

Former addicts who have sought treatment share painful stories. Rwaida's mother, for instance, became addicted after being prescribed pain relief injections following thyroid surgery, which led to a five-year struggle with addiction and the eventual loss of her entire family. Fatin, another patient, recounted how a friend secretly introduced her to drugs through shisha smoking. Her addiction escalated from smoking crystals to using heroin, gabapentin, and even cocaine, resulting in the loss of her family and everything she held dear.

Staff at rehabilitation centers describe the challenges they face, particularly when dealing with individuals who are forced into treatment by their families. Walid Hassan, the manager of the Qanat Center for Social Training, explained to Kurdistan 24 that the center, which has been operational for about a year and a half, receives between 9,000 to 10,000 visitors. 

"Unfortunately, we don’t have pharmacies or consultancy clinics," Hassan noted. "Some visitors come willingly seeking treatment, but others are forced by their families, which makes treatment more difficult."

In response to the growing crisis, more rehabilitation centers have opened in Baghdad in an effort to curb the increasing numbers of drug users. The Iraqi Interior Ministry continues to arrest thousands of drug users and dealers annually, but drug misuse remains a widespread issue within Iraqi society. 

The testimonies of patients and the efforts of treatment centers highlight the urgent need for more comprehensive support systems to combat drug addiction and its devastating effects on individuals and their families in Iraq.