On a meaningful edition of Morning Cruise on Bush Radio 89.5 FM, we welcomed facilitator and author Gadija Abrahams for an honest and insightful conversation about addiction, healing, and rebuilding life beyond survival.
Gadija joined us to discuss her newly released workbook, The Healing Companion a practical guide created to support individuals and families affected by addiction. More than just a workbook, Gadija describes it as a companion built from lived experience, reflection, and real recovery tools.
Gadija explained that The Healing Companion follows her first book, Dancing Addiction, a novel inspired by her personal journey and the experiences of others living through addiction.
Her intention was clear: to show that while every family’s story may look different, addiction often follows similar emotional patterns confusion, fear, enabling, exhaustion, and eventually the search for healing.
What makes The Healing Companion unique is that it focuses not only on surviving addiction but on creating a meaningful life afterwards.
One of the strongest themes from the conversation was Gadija’s idea of “life after survival.”
Drawing from her experience supporting her son through addiction, she spoke openly about learning that recovery isn’t only about ending harmful behaviour it’s about changing family dynamics, rebuilding identity, and moving forward.
She shared that while support systems exist for individuals recovering from addiction, families are often left uncertain about what comes next.
During the interview, Gadija highlighted how family members often unintentionally enable addiction through actions that feel loving providing money, avoiding difficult conversations, or taking responsibility for things their loved one should manage themselves.
She reflected on her own journey of wanting to protect and care for her child, only to realise later that some actions were reinforcing dependency rather than supporting recovery.
For Gadija, healthy boundaries mean:
Allowing accountability.
Supporting without rescuing.
Creating space for growth.
Learning that care does not always mean control.
A powerful message from the conversation was that healing should include families.
Gadija explained that many people supporting loved ones become emotionally exhausted and disconnected from themselves. One of the questions she often asks in workshops is:
She shared that many people struggle to answer because their identity becomes wrapped around caring for others.
Her approach encourages families to reconnect with themselves through reflection, personal growth practices, and creating healthier emotional habits.
Gadija also discussed early warning signs that may suggest someone is developing a serious addiction pattern, including noticeable behavioural changes, withdrawal from relationships, difficulty maintaining responsibilities, and recurring patterns that become harder to control over time.
Her message was simple but important: addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background, and early awareness matters.
Perhaps the most hopeful moment of the interview came when Gadija spoke about recovery.
She believes recovery is possible — not only recovery itself, but building a full life beyond it.
Today, she says she no longer defines herself by addiction or recovery alone. Instead, she uses her experiences to support others and help families break cycles that may otherwise continue for generations.
As the conversation came to a close, Gadija shared that if her work helps even one family move toward healing, then she considers it meaningful.
Her story reminded us that recovery is not only about one person it can become a journey that transforms entire families and communities.
Thank you to Gadija Abrams for joining Morning Cruise on Bush Radio 89.5 FM and sharing her story, wisdom, and hope.
Stay tuned to The Morning Cruise Monday to Friday, 09:00–12:00 on Bush Radio 89.5 FM, the Mother of Community Radio in Africa.
Presenter: Dane Van Ryhn
Producer: Esethu Thetha
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