From the heart of Sikhism emerges a remarkable narrative about a retired army colonel dedicated to liberating his fellow citizens from addiction through positive reinforcement. Colonel Dr. Rajinder Singh, the founder and director of the Akal Drug De-Addiction Center in Punjab, has successfully assisted over 10,000 individuals in overcoming various forms of addiction.
At 91 years old, Dr. Singh remains tirelessly committed to enhancing the center’s operations and is actively working on plans to establish a third location. His approach is rooted in transformation driven by compassion and consistent reinforcement.
Dr. Singh, recognized as one of the first psychiatrists in independent India, credits his military experience during the 1962 Indo-China War with shaping his understanding of addiction’s psychological underpinnings. He explains that army personnel often face intense stress and prolonged separations from home, which can significantly impact their mental health, sometimes leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
At the Akal Center located in Punjab’s Sangrur district, Dr. Singh encounters a wide range of addictions, including intravenous drug use and inhalant abuse. Notably, he once treated a patient addicted to the adrenaline rush from snake bites. His treatment methodology consistently includes physical exercise, organized sports, yoga, medical intervention when necessary, and instilling a sense of service aligned with his Sikh beliefs—without resorting to nagging or preaching.
Dr. Singh posits that the root causes of addiction often stem from traumatic experiences, and he aims for patients to achieve moral reconciliation with themselves or those who have wronged them as part of their recovery. He recalls a patient who had struggled with substance abuse that led to two failed marriages; through a combination of medication, individual and group counseling, and spiritual healing, this patient successfully navigated withdrawal symptoms and improved his overall well-being. Today, he is employed in a factory, happily married, and has referred over 60 others seeking help to the center.
The Sikh philosophy emphasizes that human life is a continuation of existence through all living beings and should be cherished; this perspective fosters an attitude towards healing addiction that recognizes the inherent value and purpose of every life affected by addiction.