Life as a parent can be overwhelmingly challenging, but when you introduce the shadow of a drug addiction, the struggle intensifies. Meet Syamlia, a mother whose arduous journey with addiction began at the tender age of 22 when she first encountered methamphetamine, infamously known as 'ice.' What began as a misguided attempt to gain the energy required to balance work and motherhood spiraled into a decade-long battle with substance abuse.

As her dependency grew, Syamlia found herself ensnared in a vicious cycle of attempts to quit, accompanied by waves of self-loathing, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. “I was losing myself to the drugs,” she recounts. “That’s when I realized: I’ve got to stop, but how?”

Her reality hit a breaking point when she was arrested at a police roadblock, leading to a year-long prison sentence. “I was in denial,” she admitted, reflecting on that pivotal moment when the officer handed her a prison uniform. “It struck me—this was real, and I was going to be trapped here for a year.”

Shockingly, statistics from the Central Narcotics Bureau's recent annual report revealed that female drug abusers are increasingly found in similar predicaments, with arrests climbing by 11% in 2023. Women now represent an alarming 15% of all drug-related arrests, highlighting a growing crisis.

A Turning Point in Darkness

Today, Syamlia stands as a beacon of hope, having been clean for five years. She is actively involved with the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA), where she leads outreach programs aimed at supporting others on their path to recovery.

The force that ignited her transformation while in prison came from an unexpected source—a conversation between fellow inmates. “I overheard them discussing selling drugs to a primary school student,” she recalled, a moment that starkly underscored the fallout of her addiction. “It jolted me into realizing the depth of the harm I was contributing to.”

Syamlia’s story is featured in the enlightening podcast "A Letter to Myself," hosted by Joel Chua. This series showcases incredible personal narratives of resilience and growth from diverse individuals.

If you or someone you know has a powerful story that can inspire many, it could find its voice in this impactful podcast, where every episode aims to spark hope and change.

Join Syamlia on her journey and listen to her full story to see how one woman overcame her darkest fears to emerge as a role model, helping others reclaim their lives from the grips of addiction. Tune in on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify to find encouragement and inspiration in a world that often feels heavy.