No shame in addiction, Harry tells recovered users at rehab centre in Jordan

The Duke of Sussex has urged a group of recovered addicts to go back to their communities and help others, telling them: “There’s no shame in having an addiction.”

Harry and Meghan listened intently as a group of men described the emotional toll of substance abuse and the support they have received from Jordan’s National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts.

During their second day in Jordan, the couple visited the centre in the capital Amman and described it as “incredible” after hearing about its holistic approach to dealing with patients, providing activities like a gym and yoga classes.

After chatting to one man who was addicted to drugs but is now a mentor at the centre, Harry said: “I want you guys to know there’s no shame in having an addiction, it stems from something else which is an emotional pain – you’re very, very brave to come here into hospital.

“Now what you need to do is use this experience and go back into your communities and help other people who are in a similar situation.”

The couple visited the centre’s gym and chatted to recovering addicts using rowing machines, and Harry asked one man: “When you leave, will you continue exercising?”

When he replied “Yes”, the duke told him: “New habits, good habits rather than bad habit – we all have bad habits.”

Meghan stood in the doorway of a yoga class and watched the men holding poses on the floor and introduced herself.

The centre, operating under the Ministry of Health’s National Centre for Mental Health, has a 40-bed capacity and since its inauguration in 2001, has served as a short-term residential and outpatient treatment centre offering medical withdrawal services, psychological support and social counselling.

During the visit the couple were invited to write messages of support along with a World Health Organisation delegation they were travelling with, including its director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, who invited the couple to Jordan.

Harry’s message on a sticky-note, left on a wall with others, read: “It’s ok to not be ok. Trust each other.

“Congratulations on your recovery. Now share your courage and experience.”

His wife wrote in italic script: “Congratulations on your dedication to your care. Wishing you continued healing and happiness.”