𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤’𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔

By Nawang Jampel

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) cast long shadows over individuals, families, and communities, weaving a web of struggle and strife that spans the globe. In the heart of this darkness, Kinley Wangchuk’s story emerges as a beacon of both struggle and triumph against the relentless tide of addiction.

Kinley Wangchuk, a 32-year-old from Thimphu, found himself ensnared in the clutches of addiction—a journey fraught with pain, struggle, and ultimately, redemption. It all began innocently enough, as he began experimenting with marijuana with friends, seeking moments of euphoria and chasing the fleeting high that drugs provided. Little did he know then that those moments of escape would become a means of numbing the deep-seated pain that resided within.

Growing up in a household led by a single mother, Kinley’s life was far from easy. Witnessing her relentless struggles to provide for him and his siblings left a profound impact. The presence of a stepfather only added to the turmoil, as their home became a battleground for constant quarrels and fights. In those moments, Kinley couldn’t help but feel the weight of responsibility and the burden of witnessing his mother’s unwavering sacrifices.

His descent into addiction began at the tender age of 15, innocently experimenting with marijuana with friends. However, the allure of drugs soon gripped him tightly, leading him down a dangerous path of substance abuse. From marijuana to sniffing thinner and dendrite, the progression was rapid. By the time he turned 18, he found himself entangled in a web of pill abuse, consuming SP, N10, RP, and ETS with reckless abandon. Alcohol soon joined the mix, offering a temporary reprieve from the chaos of reality.

“I have worked in restaurants, hotels, and construction sites when I was in addiction just to buy substances. While I was working in a hotel, I got an opportunity to train in culinary arts through a program provided by the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources. After that, I got an opportunity to work in the top-rated resorts and hotels in our country as a chef,” he said.

For years, Kinley spiraled deeper into addiction, his dependency growing stronger with each passing day. Despite fleeting moments of sobriety, the grip of substances remained unrelenting. A glimmer of hope appeared when he met his ex-wife in 2017. Her love and support provided temporary relief from the chaos of addiction, allowing him to remain clean for nearly five years. But even her unwavering support couldn’t shield him from the demons that lurked within.

The cracks in their relationship began to show, exacerbated by Kinley’s continued struggles with addiction. In 2022, their marriage crumbled under the weight of his demons, leaving him more lost and broken than ever before. Without her stabilizing presence, he plunged into a downward spiral headfirst, succumbing to the allure of drugs and alcohol with reckless abandon.

“It wasn’t long before my addiction caught up with me, both mentally and physically. Overdoses landed me in the hospital on multiple occasions, teetering on the brink of death. It was during one of these harrowing moments that clarity struck me like a bolt of lightning. I realized that if I didn’t take action soon, I would lose everything—my life, my loved ones, and any chance at redemption,” Kinley said.

With newfound determination, Kinley made the decision to surrender himself to the path of recovery. With the help of his elder sister and the staff at the Happiness Centre, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery and healing. On October 23, 2023, he took his first steps towards reclaiming his life, checking into rehab in India with a heart laden with regret yet brimming with hope.

Rehab proved to be a transformative experience, equipping Kinley with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the turbulent waters of recovery. From cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), he immersed himself in every aspect of the program, determined to emerge stronger than ever before. Daily affirmations such as “just for today” became his mantra, a reminder to take life one step at a time, focusing on the present moment rather than the daunting road ahead.

Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Kinley remained steadfast in his resolve to overcome addiction. Triggers and cravings threatened to derail his progress at every turn, but he refused to succumb to the siren call of substances. Instead, he leaned on the coping mechanisms and strategies imparted to him during his time in rehab. Whether it was avoiding old haunts and former associates or turning to meditation and prayer in moments of weakness, he remained vigilant in his pursuit of sobriety.

But recovery was far from easy. Kinley grappled with intense emotions and pent-up anger, struggling to find healthy outlets for his pain. Meditation became his sanctuary, offering solace in the midst of chaos and clarity in moments of confusion. Through introspection and self-reflection, he began to peel back the layers of his addiction, uncovering the root causes of his pain and learning to confront them head-on.

In the midst of his recovery journey, Kinley found himself grappling with the wreckage of his past—fractured relationships, missed opportunities, and the weight of apologies left unspoken. He realized that in order to truly move forward, he needed to make amends for the pain he had caused. With a heart heavy with remorse, he sought to mend broken bridges and rebuild trust with those he had wronged. It was a humbling experience, but one that ultimately proved to be cathartic and healing.

“Today, as I stand on the precipice of a new chapter in my life, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and humility. I have come to realize the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. No longer shackled by the chains of addiction, I am free to embrace the beauty of existence and all it has to offer,” Kinley added.
But his journey is far from over. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of relationships or staying true to his commitment to sobriety, Kinley is constantly evolving, learning, and striving to be the best version of himself.

If there’s one piece of advice he would offer to those still struggling with addiction, it’s this—there is always hope. No matter how dark the road may seem, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With courage, determination, and a willingness to seek help, they can overcome even the most insurmountable of obstacles.

As he looks towards the future, Kinley is filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. Armed with the lessons of his past and the support of his loved ones, he is ready to embrace whatever challenges come his way. For in the end, it’s not the struggles we face that define us, but how we choose to rise above them.
In closing, Kinley is reminded of the words of the poet Rumi, who once said, “The wound is the place where the light enters you.” Through the darkness of addiction, he has found his light, and it is brighter and more beautiful than he could have ever imagined.