Dhikr Therapy in Mental Recovery of Drug Addicts: An Islamic Psychospiritual Case Study

Abstract

Drug addiction is an ongoing public health issue in Malaysia and requires a more comprehensive approach to recovery, especially involving the spiritual dimension. Dhikr therapy, practiced at Pondok Remaja Inabah (1) Malaysia, supplements the conventional treatment that mainly targets physical and behavioral issues. Although the effectiveness of recovery at this institution is often reported, empirical studies that describe in depth the mental experiences of trainees and the Islamic psychospiritual mechanisms that support recovery are still not widespread and systematically explained. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the mental state of trainees before and after dhikr therapy, the patterns of change that occur, and the Islamic psychospiritual mechanisms that contribute to mental recovery. This study uses a qualitative approach through a case study involving two drug trainees at PRI (1) Malaysia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and literature review, then analyzed thematically. The study findings indicate that prior to dhikr therapy, the trainees exhibited an unstable mental state, addiction, cognitive impairment, and a sense of spiritual emptiness. After therapy, there was a gradual mental change towards stability of thought, self-awareness, and repentance. This pattern of change shows a transition from a state of addiction and loss of direction in life to the building of internal stability that focuses on clarity of thought and meaning in life based on Islamic values. The mental recovery of the trainees is driven by Islamic psychospiritual mechanisms in dhikr therapy, encompassing the construction of meaning in life, emotional stabilization, the formation of a new identity, and inner spiritual monitoring. This study contributes to the development of a mental recovery model based on Islamic psychospirituality and emphasizes the potential of dhikr therapy as a systematic guide in drug recovery.