12-step recovery programme for SikhsI came across this programme on the Sikh Recovery Network's website. A document about it may be downloaded, here, or read it here.
Its opening text says: "The Sikhi 12 Steps, originated by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is a spiritual foundation for personal recovery from the effects of alcoholism, both for the person using alcohol as well as their friends and family. The Sikhi 12 steps can also be used in recovery programmes for addictions other than alcohol, such as drug or prescription drug addiction. This journal is an aid to help with the programme, to not merely help overcome addiction, but a guide toward a new way of life, inspired by Sikhi." 
Personal journeys to living alcohol-free
Read these inspiring stories from sobersocial.co.uk of how people kicked their addiction to alcohol
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Alcohol addiction-local resourcesWhere to get help in EalingEaling Rise 36A Northcote Avenue Southall UB1 2AY tel: 020 8843 59000 also at: 99-103 The Broadway, West Ealing, W13 9BP Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Southern Service Office (SSO) Unit B 15 Bell Yard Mews London SE1 3TY 020 7407 9217 (Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm) or email: [email protected] Find an AA meeting - click here
Dedicated support for alcohol use Your Health - Our sessions will teach you new ways to manage your use as well as cutting down and quitting. We have a medical team who can provide treatment advice to complement and support your recovery. Your Wellbeing - Our service supports you as a whole person helping you find the fun in life again with alternative activities, volunteering opportunities, the chance to meet new people and a safe space to talk. We can also support those you love which will aid your recovery and help them understand more and learn alongside you. Your Future - Support is available to help with life skills, housing, education, employment, and hobbies. Contact: 01753 692548 website Booze maker claims alcohol stops loneliness
“in this time of loneliness and a mental health epidemic”, beer’s role in bringing people together was “important to make part of the public debate”. Those are the words of van den Brink - the boss of booze maker, Heineken, quoted in a FT.com article on 25 Oct 2025. I published my comments on his line of thinking. I wrote: “I think van den Brink should be ashamed of himself for claiming beer (alcoholic) is a social lubricant and an antidote for loneliness. Alcohol has been promoted in western society for decades and has become part of western culture. Western films frequently show characters reaching for the bottle or a fag at every opportunity - so much so it appears the film could be produced by cigarette or alcohol companies. Money, not social wellbeing and harmony, is the goal for these peddlars of booze, but at what cost to personal health, social services, healthcare services, and society? Has this guy considered the social and personal impact of alcohol addiction and the violence attributable to alcohol? Has he considered the drain on public services such as the NHS to deal with the consequences? People should be drawn to social gatherings because they want to enjoy each other's company, not because of the cheap booze." |
Online weekly meetings for recovery support: Fridays 8-9pm (see Feedback Fridays below)
Contact Sikh Recovery Network to join the Zoom meetings
On 17 Jan 2026, I spoke to Jaz Rai (see below). He said he'd email the meeting link, and he did the same day.
How a Sikh, Jasvinder "Jaz" Rai, kicked his addiction to alcohol
From aged 17 Jaz began to drink and at his worst point, he was drinking a bottle of vodka a day. How did he give it up? Click on his image below to find out.
Alcohol consumption, attitudes, and support services : a 2013 survey of the Sikh community in BirminghamSikhs in Birmingham were interviewed about their alcohol consumption, their knowledge of the effect of alcohol on health, behaviour, friends and family, and what support is available to recover from addiction. The survey included views on the use of gurdwaras and of religion and education for support and prevention, the contradiction between Sikhi prohibiting intoxicants and so-called Sikhs consuming and offering alcohol, especially at weddings and to guests, and the growing number of Sikh women consuming alcohol (a trend I have noticed in Punjabi films). Click on the image below to read an article about alcohol abuse in the Sikh community and to download the research report.
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Image credit: Gagan Singh (link)
On on 27 Nov 2025, I came across the above 02 Jan 2025 article written by Gagan Singh on the platform called Medium. It answered the question: is consuming alcohol acceptable according to Sikhi and gurbani?
The author made a very convincing case to say it is not acceptable for Sikhs to consume alcohol.
I replied on 27/11/25 with a similar question on Sikhs selling alcohol. See my comments below (as at 17 Jan 2026, no reply to my comment and no other comment posted on this story - very sad to see so little response):
The author made a very convincing case to say it is not acceptable for Sikhs to consume alcohol.
I replied on 27/11/25 with a similar question on Sikhs selling alcohol. See my comments below (as at 17 Jan 2026, no reply to my comment and no other comment posted on this story - very sad to see so little response):
