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Building Bridges: A Collaborative Research Project for Islamic Faith Leaders & Drug and Alcohol Services


Substance-related harm remains a major public health challenge in Britain. Yet in many Muslim communities, it is still something rarely spoken about openly — often discussed only in private, if at all.


“No one should feel they have to choose between their faith, their community and getting help.”


I’m Adam Khan, a second-year Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Nottingham and Lincoln, currently undertaking my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I wanted my research to focus on an issue closely connected to both mental health and community life. This led me to a question I kept returning to: how can Islamic faith leaders and drug and alcohol services work together more effectively to support Muslims experiencing substance use difficulties?


Working alongside The Salik Project, my research looks at how communication between faith leaders and drug and alcohol services currently happens, where it can become difficult and aims to develop consensus-agreed-upon guidelines between faith leaders and drug and alcohol services to develop effective and sustainable communication channels with the view of improving access to care for Muslims experiencing substance use difficulties.


A system that doesn’t always reach everyone

Dame Carol Black’s Independent Review of Drugs highlighted serious and persistent challenges relating to drug use and treatment in the UK, alongside inequalities in who is able to access effective support. The review concluded that services were not reaching all communities equally, and called for improvements in prevention, workforce development and access for underserved groups.


In the years following the review, the government committed £532 million to rebuild and strengthen drug and alcohol treatment services, with an emphasis on improving training, cultural competence and equality of access. But funding and policy alone do not ensure people seek help. Access often depends on trust, understanding and whether services feel culturally and socially safe.


Why this matters for Muslim communities

Muslims make up a significant proportion of the UK’s ethnic-minority population, yet they remain underrepresented in drug and alcohol services. This does not mean substance use is absent. More often, it reflects how hidden the issue can be and how difficult it may feel for individuals or families to reach out for support.

Existing research and practitioner experience point to several overlapping barriers, including:


  • stigma and shame surrounding addiction

  • fear of religious or community judgement

  • concerns about confidentiality

  • mistrust of statutory services shaped by experiences of discrimination

  • limited formal links between faith leaders and treatment providers


For some individuals, an imam or other faith leader may be the first person they approach for guidance. At the same time, faith leaders may feel they lack the training, resources or established connections with local services needed to confidently signpost someone towards specialist support.


Gender expectations can also influence access, particularly for Muslim women who may worry about family reputation or social consequences if their difficulties become known. Differences in how addiction is understood across generations can further shape whether substance use is recognised early and discussed openly as a health issue.


The missing piece: how collaboration actually works

Much of the existing research highlights the importance of partnership between faith leaders and treatment providers in delivering culturally responsive care. What seems less clear is how those relationships are built in practice — how trust develops, how communication channels are established and how differences in perspectives on recovery can be navigated constructively.


Through this research, I hope to better understand these questions by gathering insights from both Islamic faith leaders and drug and alcohol practitioners. The aim is to develop practical guidelines that:


  • helps faith leaders feel more confident supporting and signposting individuals

  • supports services to build more informed, meaningful relationships with Muslim communities

  • strengthens trust between services and communities

  • ultimately improves access to support for Muslims experiencing substance use difficulties


If you’re interested in contributing to the project or learning more, I’d be very happy to connect.


 
 
 

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