Salik Project UK Blog 

When addiction is discussed in policy or service settings, it is often framed around individuals, treatment pathways, or enforcement. But when women in Rochdale speak about addiction, a different picture emerges—one rooted in family life, cultural expectation, and the everyday environments in which people live.

When we sat down with six Pakistani-heritage male community leaders at Deeplish Community Centre for a two-hour conversation, one truth cut through everything: we don’t talk about addiction until it becomes a crisis.

When we sat down with a group of South Asian women during our recent focus group held in partnership with WHAG, what emerged was far more than feedback. It was a window into the private struggles, pressures, and silent resilience that many women carry when addiction touches their lives. The conversation was honest, at times emotional, and deeply revealing.

Addiction is not just a statistic — it’s a lived reality for many in our community. Yet, in South Asian Muslim communities, it’s often hidden behind closed doors. To better understand the challenges and needs, we held our first focus group with eight Pakistani Muslim men aged 14–40 from Rochdale, supported by High Level Northern Trust and The Young Khadims.