𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐠𝐲𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

… 𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

By Sonam Choki

In 2006, Chado Namgyel embarked on a journey into substance use. It began with marijuana and progressed to various other substances, driven by curiosity sparked when he witnessed a friend indulging in it. This prompted his first experience at the age of 13, leading to a daily habit that would shape his life thereafter.

During his school days, Chado Namgyel resorted to deceiving his parents to fund his addiction, fabricating needs for educational materials to obtain money. “I would use that money to purchase substances like inhalants,” he admits. Academic disinterest led to disciplinary issues, with Chado often found sleeping in class or facing consequences for his defiant behavior towards teachers. He openly admits, “Studying held no interest for me.” His disengagement extended beyond the classroom, as he would spend hours sleeping on the school campus until the day’s end.

During his school years, Chado Namgyel adopted a pattern of deceit towards his parents to finance his addiction, feigning the need for school supplies to obtain money. “I would use that money to buy substances like inhalants,” he reveals candidly. Academic disengagement was apparent, with Chado often found dozing in class or facing repercussions for his impulsive retorts to teachers. He admits, “Studying never held my interest.” Beyond the classroom, his routine extended into after-school hours, where he would delay his return home by concocting elaborate stories. “We would plan our post-school activities, spending time with friends and returning home late,” he confesses. His fabricated tales ranged from phantom extra classes to fictitious assistance to teachers, all designed to conceal his true activities and solicit money from his unsuspecting parents.

After completing the 10th grade, Chado Namgyel continued residing with his parents while pursuing his studies, all the while maintaining his destructive habits. “While assisting my parents in their business, I resorted to pilfering money to fund my addiction,” he discloses. This enabled him to sustain his substance use without his parents’ knowledge, as he seamlessly blended in with the family dynamic. Despite his clandestine activities, he projected an image of decency, attributing his calm demeanor to the substances that provided him solace. “My parents remained oblivious to my struggles,” he remarks, highlighting the success of his facade.

During this tumultuous period, Chado’s nights were often spent outside the confines of his home, returning only to sleep. The accumulation of ill-gotten gains from the family business bolstered his sense of independence, allowing him to leverage threats of leaving against his parents. His absences from home were frequent, seeking refuge in hotels or the homes of friends when financial resources depleted. However, even amidst these turbulent times, he would occasionally return home, especially when his late mother was present, regardless of the ensuing admonishments. “My father’s stern demeanor kept me away, but I sought solace in my mother’s presence,” he reflects on this tumultuous period.

Chado Namgyel’s facade of being a dutiful and responsible son remained intact in his parents’ eyes, bolstered by his involvement in the family business and his apparent presence at home. “They believed I was obedient because of my contributions to the business and my time spent with the family,” he recalls. However, this illusion was shattered when he found himself embroiled in a legal case that required urine testing. The results, positive for substances, came as a shock to his parents, who initially doubted the accuracy of the report. “They couldn’t believe I had deceived them,” he admits, acknowledging the breach of trust despite their unwavering support during the ordeal.

The revelation of his substance use came later, amidst emotional turmoil and visits from concerned parents during his detention. “I confessed, citing excuses of always being at home helping them,” he recounts, acknowledging the emotional weight of those moments. The realization of his deception and the impact on his family dynamics weighed heavily on him, marking a turning point in his journey toward recovery and reconciliation.

The realization of the detrimental effects of substance use dawned upon Chado Namgyel, yet despite acknowledging its harms, he found himself unable to break free from its grip. “I made countless promises to my parents, but I failed to uphold them,” he admits, lamenting his lack of trustworthiness and disregard for parental guidance. His emotional volatility and tendency to react impulsively without considering consequences further exacerbated familial tensions, creating rifts in communication and understanding.

Tragically, amidst his struggle with substance abuse, Chado experienced the profound loss of his mother. “She was always concerned for me, even planning interventions like rehabilitation centers,” he reveals. However, his stubbornness and prioritization of personal desires over familial concerns led him to reject such efforts, sacrificing potential avenues of recovery for the sake of fleeting indulgence. Reflecting on this period, he acknowledges the sacrifices made by his parents for his well-being, regretting the toll his addiction took on their lives and his own.

Realizing the havoc his addiction wreaked on those closest to him, Chado Namgyel made the difficult decision to separate from his wife and daughter, despite not being legally divorced. “My habit was causing trouble for everyone, so I chose to live apart,” he reveals. Despite harboring hopes of recovery and a fresh start with his family upon his return, his wife’s reluctance to reconcile dashed those aspirations. “My addiction was the root cause of our problems,” he admits, acknowledging his failure to confront and address the issue during his substance use. This delayed realization, coupled with ongoing recovery efforts, came too late to salvage his relationship, resulting in their current separation.

Reflecting on his 13-year battle with substances from 2006 to 2019, Chado recounts his resistance to seeking help despite his parents’ repeated attempts to intervene. “I finally sought rehabilitation in 2019, after years of reluctance,” he concedes. The impact of his addiction on his marriage became evident in 2017, marking the onset of complexities and strains that ultimately led to their estrangement. With regret, he acknowledges the toll his substance abuse took on his personal life and relationships, underscoring the importance of timely intervention and the consequences of prolonged denial.

Amidst his struggles with addiction, Chado Namgyel found solace and motivation from key figures at the Happiness Center. “Babdus Ghalley, the Project Director, and Ugyen Dorji, the co-founder, played pivotal roles in my journey,” he acknowledges. The unwavering support of his peers at the center bolstered his resolve to break free from the cycle of substance abuse. “I came to realize that my life, engulfed in addiction, was fraught with pain and suffering,” he reflects, acknowledging his inability to self-heal. This realization prompted him to seek professional help at a rehabilitation center, where he received invaluable support from his brother, the Project Director, and the co-founder of the Happiness Center.

Having maintained sobriety for five years now, Chado has transitioned into a role as a PR counselor at the center, where he channels his experiences into assisting others on their recovery journeys. “I pray that no one experiences the suffering I endured,” he fervently expresses, emphasizing the profound lessons learned during his recovery. He underscores the importance of self-worth and the detrimental impact of substance sharing, urging individuals to prioritize their well-being and avoid inflicting harm on themselves and others. His journey serves as a beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring others to seek help and embrace a life free from the shackles of addiction.

Now, serving as a PR counselor at the Happiness Center, Chado utilizes his experiences as a cautionary tale, advocating for personal accountability and valuing the sanctity of life. “Recovery is a journey that demands personal effort and resilience,” he asserts, extending a message of hope and renewal to those grappling with similar challenges. His advice resonates with a profound sense of determination, urging individuals to seek assistance, rebuild fractured relationships, and embrace a brighter future free from the shackles of addiction.