With a long hair and piercings in his facial area, Sarad Shrestha is not the ideal role model parents would want for their children. But at the same time, we've been taught not to judge a book by its cover.

A well known figure in the rock and roll music industry, Sarad Shrestha has been involved in the field of music for more than a decade now. Currently working on a new project with his band "Tumbleweed Inc," he has had a promising career as a musician. Drugs are sometimes associated with the rock and roll music industry, and conquering a drug addiction is difficult and challenging experience. Mr. Sarad has been an inspirational figure to those who seek to get their life back on track after falling into the addiction trap. We discussed over a cup of coffee his story on he overcame his drug addiction.

Introduction to drugs in my life

It started out in an early age. It was right after my SLC examinations, and I was 16 years old when I started taking drugs. As a young kid I was unaware of its consequences. A victim of peer pressure, I was a stranger to drugs and the effects of it. I didn't have the knowledge about the aftermath of taking drugs and unknowingly I became addicted to it. The addiction started to take its effect on me. I used to be a jobholder as well at that time. I was handling a business that I was told to take care of by my brother. Due to the addiction, I had a hard time handling the administrative tasks. In terms of my musical career, I used to play for the "Axe Band" back then. We had to cancel a couple of tours due to my problems. I lost many opportunities and my family started to lose their trust towards me. This damaged me personally in many ways.

Journey of rehabilitation 

Addiction is a disease was the first thing I realized after my rehabilitation. I've been to the rehab for about three times in my life. Visiting the rehab was a transformational and an educational phase for me. When I visited the rehabilitation center for the first time, I wasn't aware about the procedures. In those days, the treatment methods were a bit harsh as the patients were punished and scolded. Such kind of rigid and crude methods were referred to as Total Control (TC) therapy. But, I think now the treatment methods have changed. Once I got acclimatized to the environment, I started enjoying the activities that used take place in the rehab. My first visit for rehabilitation wasn't actually in a rehab center. It was called the process of detoxification since there weren't any rehab centers here in Nepal back then. It was during 1994, and I had to visit the psychiatric ward at the Teaching Hospital. My visits to the rehab were an insightful experience as I got to hear the stories of other people suffering from the same cause. I could reflect their own stories upon my problems and there were classes that took place as well. There, I learned about the harmful effects of consuming drugs, and I was actually shocked and surprised to know these things. But, one visit to the rehab wasn't enough. I went to Richmond Fellowship Nepal in 2006: then I visited a 10-day session conducted by Youth Vision Nepal (this was my last visit). There was another thing that I realized during my visit to the rehab. Addiction or drug abuse can sprout from your own home sometimes. Being from a Newari family, I think our community gives easy access of alcohol to people. Alcohol itself can be considered as a dangerous drug.

When you consume drugs you develop a fake identity of yourself, forming a veil over your originality. Careers and relationships are hampered on the way.

Success after a long uphill battle

It's been about a year since I've been living in Total Sobriety - no drugs, no weed, no alcohol. The experiences that I went through during those rehab visits brought a change within me. I've had an on and off relationship with drugs in the past and I guess, in the end, it all depends on one's own behavior. Visiting a rehab is not enough to cure your addiction. It's about how you take in the experience and implement it. I felt a spiritual awakening within myself that led me to live a clean life that must come along with my ageing as well. Ever since I have been clean, I feel happy from deep within. It's good to live your life in a conscious state.

Don’t do drugs

Always stay out of drugs. People have the notion of taking drugs for the sake of having fun which is absolutely absurd. Once you get habituated to it, it's hard to get rid of it. When you consume drugs you develop a fake identity of yourself, forming a veil over your originality. Careers and relationships are hampered on the way. So, my request to everyone is to avoid it. Even if you have already started consuming it, always look for help. Don't hesitate in talking about it with your friends or family; do not feel shy about it. In our society, even parents feel uncomfortable sharing their children's drug problems with the fear of being judged by others. But, the times have changed and rather than hiding behind these problems it's better to share it instead. I always tried to cure myself despite failing to do so at times, hence the on and off relationship with my drug problem. I hang out with my friends who have recovered from this problem, losing few of them on the way as well. It's quite helpful when you get to share your thoughts with them since they can relate to them too. I'd suggest that rather than punishing your child or younger ones for taking drugs focus on helping them in getting rid of the addition. I even took part in a conference called the Asia Pacific NE Convention, a couple of months ago. I met people from the same circle, who went through the same struggles, which encouraged me to live a better life. I've got friends who are running rehabilitation centers right now and if anyone needs help regarding drug rehabilitation, they can contact me personally as well.no text