Fighting Addiction with Compassion
From the heartland of Sikhism comes an inspiring tale of a former army colonel who has dedicated his life to freeing his fellow countrymen from the shackles of addiction through compassion and positive reinforcement. Colonel Dr. Rajinder Singh, founder and director of the Akal Drug De-Addiction Center in Punjab, has transformed the lives of over 10,000 patients, helping them overcome addictions rooted in a wide variety of causes.
Now 91 years old, Dr. Singh defies his age with boundless energy and dedication. He continues to improve the services at his centers and is actively working toward opening a third facility. His approach is firmly grounded in compassion, steady encouragement, and holistic transformation rather than punitive measures.
From the Battlefield to Addiction Treatment
Dr. Singh’s journey to becoming a pioneer in addiction treatment is shaped by unique life experiences. One of the first psychiatrists in post-independence India, he honed his understanding of addiction during his service in the Indian Army, where he fought in the 1962 Indo-China War.
“Army personnel are exposed to highly stressful situations,” Dr. Singh explained in an interview with The Better India. “Long periods away from home can affect their mental health. Some even experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after combat and war.”
This exposure to the psychological toll of extreme stress fueled his desire to better understand and treat conditions that lead individuals to substance abuse.
A Holistic and Non-Preachy Approach
At the Akal Drug De-Addiction Center in Punjab’s Sangrur district, Dr. Singh has encountered a wide spectrum of addiction cases. These range from intravenous drug use to more unusual cases, such as an individual addicted to inhaling the fumes of whitener and even a man who sought the dangerous thrill of snake bites for the adrenaline rush.
Regardless of the specific addiction, Dr. Singh employs the same core method: physical exercise, organized sports, yoga, medical treatments when necessary, and spiritual grounding inspired by Sikh principles. Importantly, this spiritual element is introduced subtly, without judgment or sermonizing.
He emphasizes that the root causes of addiction often lie in unresolved emotional pain and traumatic experiences. His goal is to guide patients toward a moral reckoning with themselves and those who may have harmed them.
Stories of Transformation
Dr. Singh’s approach has yielded remarkable results. One notable case involved a man whose addiction to a dangerous mixture of injectable substances led to the collapse of two marriages. Through a carefully tailored combination of medication, individual and group counseling, and spiritual healing, the patient successfully navigated withdrawal.
“His withdrawal symptoms subsided, he gained six kilograms, his sleep and appetite improved, and his mood became cheerful,” Dr. Singh recalled. “He was discharged with advice for regular follow-ups.”
Today, the man has rebuilt his life—working in a factory, happily remarried, and serving as an advocate for recovery by referring more than 60 addicts from his area to the center.
A Life-Affirming Philosophy
Central to Dr. Singh’s approach is a core belief of Sikhism: that to be born as a human is a rare privilege, as one must have lived as every other creature on Earth before attaining this form. This philosophy encourages cherishing life and sharing its fruits for the betterment of others.
This life-affirming perspective underscores the treatment philosophy at the Akal Drug De-Addiction Center. Dr. Singh and his team not only see the lives of addicts as valuable but as inherently beautiful and imbued with purpose.
In a world where addiction often carries stigma and shame, Dr. Singh’s work offers a beacon of hope. His holistic and compassionate approach continues to inspire and transform lives, proving that healing and redemption are possible for anyone willing to embark on the journey toward recovery.