During Child Protection Month, conversations around addiction often focus on the individual struggling with substance use. But behind every person battling addiction is a family quietly carrying emotional pain, stress, fear, and uncertainty.
In a interview on Bush Radio , Saadia Jackson Cassiem shed light on the realities families face when living alongside addiction and why their voices matter just as much.
With nearly two decades of experience in social work, addiction recovery, and family support, Saadia has dedicated her life to helping families navigate some of their darkest moments. Her work focuses not only on individuals using substances, but also on the mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and children who are deeply affected by addiction every single day.
From Chemical Engineering to Social Work
Interestingly, Saadia’s journey into social work was never part of the original plan. She initially studied chemical engineering before changing direction and pursuing social work at the University of the Western Cape.
What started as an unexpected career path eventually became a calling. Her first role at the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre exposed her to the realities of addiction recovery. Later, while working at the Matrix Drug and Alcohol Centre, she began noticing something important: more family members were seeking help than the individuals struggling with addiction themselves.
This realization shaped the direction of her work.
Addiction Affects the Entire Family
One of the most important messages shared during the interview was that addiction never affects only one person. It impacts the entire family system.
Parents often arrive desperate for solutions, hoping someone can “fix” their child or loved one. But according to Saadia, recovery is far more complex than simply placing someone into rehabilitation.
She explained that families frequently experience:
- Anxiety and emotional exhaustion
- Shame and stigma from the community
- Financial strain
- Health problems caused by stress
- Feelings of helplessness and isolation
Many parents blame themselves, wondering where they “went wrong,” while others fear judgment from their communities. This stigma often prevents families from asking for help early enough.
The Importance of Education
According to Saadia, one of the biggest challenges is that many families do not fully understand addiction or recovery.
There is a common belief that if a person truly wanted to stop using substances, they simply would. But addiction is far more complicated. Without proper education, families struggle to protect themselves emotionally and make informed decisions.
Saadia believes education is the first step toward healing. Families need to understand:
- What addiction actually is
- How recovery works
- What healthy boundaries look like
- How to support a loved one without enabling destructive behavior
She emphasized that understanding addiction helps families regain a sense of control over their own lives and environments.
Children Growing Up Around Addiction
The interview also explored the impact addiction has on children growing up in unstable environments.
Exposure to substance abuse, violence, trauma, or emotional neglect can deeply affect a child’s development. Saadia highlighted the importance of open communication between parents and children, especially during adolescence.
Rather than only saying “don’t do drugs,” she believes young people should be taught how to make informed decisions by understanding consequences, risks, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Creating safe spaces for honest conversations can help prevent substance abuse before it starts.
Who Are the “Forgotten Voices”?
Saadia refers to family members affected by addiction as the “forgotten voices.”
While the focus is usually on the individual using substances, families are often overlooked despite carrying enormous emotional burdens themselves. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and spouses frequently lose parts of themselves while trying to save someone they love.
Their pain is often invisible.
Saadia’s work aims to remind families that their well-being matters too. They deserve support, healing, and recognition in their own right — not only as caregivers to someone struggling with addiction.
A Message of Hope
For families currently facing addiction at home, Saadia shared an important reminder: you are not alone.
Healing begins when families recognize their own value and understand that their happiness cannot depend entirely on another person’s choices.
Breaking the silence around addiction, challenging stigma, and seeking support are powerful first steps toward recovery — not only for the individual, but for the entire family.
For support and assistance, families can contact Saadia Jackson Cassiem through her platforms under “Foundation Care.”
Contact Details:
WhatsApp: 0659431213
FACEBOOK, INSTA: Foundation Care
By: AMY JOSEPH LOUISIA
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