Analysis of Dhikr Therapy's Impact on Drug Recovery: A Study of Trainees' Psychospiritual Well-Being

Abstract

Drug addiction in Malaysia is a long-standing social issue that has negative implications for society. Various recovery methods have been introduced, including the Islamic psychospiritual approach, which is increasingly being applied in private rehabilitation centres. One of the private recovery centres that practises this approach is Pondok Remaja Inabah (1) Malaysia (PRI 1 Malaysia), which uses dhikr therapy as the primary method for recovery treatment. Although dhikr therapy in PRI (1) Malaysia has been proven to have a positive effect on trainees, its implementation and effects on the psychospirituality of trainees, especially on the elements of desire, spirit, heart and mind, are still poorly studied in depth. Therefore, this study aims to identify the implementation of dhikr therapy at PRI (1) Malaysia and examine its impact on the psychospiritual well-being of trainees.
This study employs a qualitative approach that includes a literature review, participatory observation, and interviews with five trainees. The data were analysed both inductively and deductively with the help of NVivo 15 software. The study's results indicated that dhikr therapy has an influence and a positive impact on the psychospiritual elements of the trainees, including enhancing their patience and noble character (desire), increasing diligence and enjoyment of worship (spirit), increasing divine awareness and tranquillity (heart), and contributing to mental stability and maturity of thought (intellect). This positive impact began to be felt within 40 days of consistently practicing dhikr therapy. The implications of this study show that the dhikr therapy of the Tarekat Qodiriyah Naqsyabandiyah (TQN) has the potential to be an alternative approach to drug rehabilitation. Therefore, dhikr practice should be made a permanent module in drug rehabilitation programs, and it is recommended that parties, such as AADK and private rehabilitation centres, strengthen treatment methods, including implementing dhikr therapy as part of a holistic psychospiritual intervention component.