My journey from addiction to entrepreneurial inspiration
Imagine being awake without sleep for two to three days … the sun rises, and the weight of the day consumes you: being a trainee in a very competitive programme, needing to ensure that you stand out amongst your peers, needing to find time to study to pass CTA. This is no easy feat while you are hiding your addiction from the world.
This describes the greatest deal of my life for five years. As soon as the day kicked off, the only thought on my mind was how to make it through the day without using; yet, at the same time my mind was convincing me that the only way to get through the day was to ‘get that bag’.
Apart from sleep deprivation, my self-worth and self-esteem were shattered by guilt and anguish. Looking in the mirror, a shattered, unrecognisable image of myself stared back at me. The hopes and dreams I once had for myself were slipping away and my mind was unable to pull me away from the harsh reality that everything I once hoped for myself will never be and that I will amount to nothing. And the loneliness of it all: a bitter pill to swallow.
This is not only my story, but the story of many addicts in South Africa and around the world.
In the heart of South Africa lies a pervasive challenge that often remains unnoticed − the problem of addiction. Substance abuse weaves its complex web, affecting individuals, families, and communities at large. Startling statistics place South Africa among the top countries globally in alcohol consumption, while drug abuse continues to be a pressing concern, with less than 1% of addicts actually making it to the five-year mark of recovery. Addiction is often seen as a bad behaviour that has unravelled and left the addict with no control over their life, however; addiction is often a symptom of deep-rooted emotional trauma. When one digs deep and understands one’s own trauma, it can catapult the journey to recovery. Despite these disheartening figures, there exists a narrative of resilience and hope − the deep-rooted story of a recovering addict that surpassed the odds. I am Jameel Khan, a Chartered
Accountant (SA), mentor, and business coach, and I’ve not only triumphed over addiction but have channelled my experiences to inspire and uplift others.
In July of 2016, I emerged from the depths of addiction – a turning point that marked the beginning of my remarkable journey. The CA designation and being on the path of obtaining it provided me with hope and purpose and is integral in my journey of recovery.
In pursuit of my passion for supporting others, I co-founded The Unconventional CA (UCA), an organisation dedicated to entrepreneurs and venture building. UCA’s unique approach extends to the development of coaching technology and a platform that employs Neuro Linguistic Processing (NLP) principles. This tool provides a tailored methodology to assess both the entrepreneur and their business comprehensively.
My journey from addiction to entrepreneurial inspiration serves as a powerful narrative of triumph over adversity. By openly sharing my struggles and successes, I would like to become a beacon of hope to those grappling with addiction and its profound impact.
Everyone needs someone to believe in them, and for me that someone is my wife, Cecelia Swartz. She played a pivotal part in supporting me to become the person I am today.
