Build, Rather Than Destroy

September 2025

Recovery Story: Mika

In August 2025, I had the privilege of speaking with Mika, a beneficiary at WE CARE, who shared his journey of recovery and resilience. I have written articles in the past, but never a recovery story. Interviewing him and writing it was an eye-opening experience, giving me deeper insight into the world of addiction. 

His story began in 2013, during an extremely turbulent period that involved many major life changes. 

Having left his teaching career with the intention of pursuing a master’s degree in music, Mika soon abandoned that path not wanting his sense of fulfilment to be dictated by the expectations of others.  

Without guidance or a clear direction, he turned to something that would provide immediate relief – drugs.  

It first started as a distraction to pass the time, then as a way to dull emotional pain, and later as a fleeting source of pleasure. 

Mika entered DRC (Drug Rehabilitation Centre) for the first time in 2017, but he admitted that back then, he believed he could “play the system” to complete the programme on paper without truly committing to change.  

Of the few beneficiaries I’ve spoken to that have been sent to DRC, they seem uniformly to have the same thought – complete the programme cleanly so as not to ruffle any feathers and revert to their old lifestyle once the dust had settled. 

They were unlucky the first time and just needed to be a little more careful so they would not be sent back to DRC. 

It wasn’t until his mother’s passing that he confronted a turning point. Standing at a crossroads, he realized he could either allow the grief to pull him deeper into addiction or use it as the wake-up call he needed.  

It became clear to him that drugs brought no real peace – only a hollow, temporary reaction of the mind and body. 

The road to recovery, Mika explained, is neither straightforward nor short. Addiction rewires the brain to chase highs, and quitting is far more than a matter of willpower. 

Since his first stint in DRC, he has picked up many recovery tools. He now acknowledges the cravings instead of denying them, and he focuses on strategies to manage those urges.  

At WE CARE, he learned that identifying one’s personal triggers – and knowing how to respond to them – is essential.  

One of the most effective approaches, he found, is to stay meaningfully engaged in activities that build rather than destroy. Initially, these were his regular counselling appointments; gradually, he expanded that into volunteering, which gave him routine, purpose, and the joy of contributing positively to others. Today, he continues that path by pursuing postgraduate studies in counselling. 

Alongside his academic goals, Mika’s recovery has been marked by many meaningful moments: meeting a supportive partner who embraces him despite his past, building new friendships at WE CARE, and being immersed in the stories of people from all walks of life.  

These connections, he says, have made him more open-minded, more compassionate, and more resilient. Though he carries some regrets, Mika sees his experiences as integral to the person he has become. His journey has not only been about overcoming addiction – it has also been about rediscovering himself, with greater empathy and acceptance for both his own story and the struggles of others. 

 

By Katrina and Mika 

Katrina is pursuing her undergraduate studies in political science and philosophy at UCLA in the United States. She intends to pursue a career in law in the future.  

Mika is currently pursuing his postgraduate studies in counselling in Singapore at an Australian university. He hopes to work in the social service sector advocating mental healthcare for marginalised populations in Singapore. During his free time, he enjoys playing the ukulele, cooking with his partner, or hanging out with his cats.