Substance Use in American Muslim Communities

American Muslims experience substance use and behavioral addictions at rates similar to the general U.S. population, but they often have far fewer treatment options that reflect their cultural and religious needs. Because Islam prohibits substance use, stigma plays a powerful role in discouraging people from seeking help. Many families don’t know where to turn, and those who do may hesitate because of the shame associated with addiction.

In our work with Muslim communities, we’ve seen how substance use is often tied to other mental health struggles, which means recovery requires a more holistic approach. Yet resources designed with this in mind are scarce. Despite being made up of immigrants, refugees, and undocumented individuals who face unique challenges, American Muslims remain overlooked in both research and service provision. Without a shift in how we respond, there is a real risk of losing future generations to this crisis.

To begin addressing these gaps, we organized online workshops with addiction specialists and people who have lived through recovery. Together, we developed a “recovery playbook” tailored specifically for Muslims. The playbook adapts the familiar 12-step model, blending clinical best practices with guidance drawn from Islamic principles. It was created through a collaborative, iterative process and is now available in English and Arabic, with more translations on the way.

This work is about more than treatment—it’s about building recovery infrastructures that honor culture, faith, and lived experience. By centering these values, we can create support systems that not only meet immediate needs but also help communities imagine and build healthier, more just futures.

Publications

Peer, Firaz. Health by Design: Substance Use and the Politics of Recovery in American Muslim Communities (under review).

Peer, Firaz. Centering Religion and Culture: A Neo-Ecological Framework for Addiction Recovery Among Religious Minorities (under review).

Peer, Firaz. Unmet Needs, Untapped Wisdom: American Muslim Perspectives on Faith- Based Addiction Recovery Resources (under review).

Peer, Firaz, and Shamin Shoomali. "Designing a recovery playbook for Muslim Americans experiencing substance use disorders." (2024).