Addiction in Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of the most alarming psychosocial and spiritual crises of our time, particularly among the youth. Recent hospital-based and community studies reveal an unprecedented rise in opioid and polysubstance use, with the Kashmir valley recording some of the highest rates in North India, especially among individuals aged 17 to 35. This disturbing pattern demands solutions that resonate with the region’s cultural and religious fabric. Here, Islamic psychology offers an evidence-based, holistic model that combines medical science, mental health care, and spiritual rehabilitation. Rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, Islamic psychology perceives addiction not merely as a disease of the body but as an ailment of the soul (nafs), where the lower self (nafs al-ammara) overpowers moral and spiritual consciousness. Studies such as Hai et al. (2019) show that spiritual and religious interventions significantly reduce relapse rates and improve emotional well-being when integrated with conventional therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. Evidence from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey further confirms that Islamic psych spiritual rehabilitation—which includes Qur’anic recitation, Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), Salah (prayer), tawbah (repentance), and faith-based counselling—enhances recovery, social reintegration, and relapse prevention. In the Kashmiri context, where faith and community life are deeply interwoven, the role of imams, religious scholars, and families becomes essential in building support systems rooted in compassion rather than stigma. Research reveals that religious involvement and family cohesion serve as protective factors against substance use and encourage recovery. Therefore, there is an immediate need to establish Islamic-integrated rehabilitation centres in Srinagar, Anantnag, and other districts—centres that unite medical detoxification, psychotherapy, vocational training, and structured spiritual practices. Government organisations, NGOs, and religious institutions must collaborate to train counsellors equipped in both Islamic psychology and clinical science. Mosque-based awareness programs, Friday sermons (khutbahs), and school workshops can educate youth about the harms of drugs while promoting halal alternatives like sports, community service, and entrepreneurship. Global studies from Islamic rehabilitation centres (Mansor, Rassool, Badri) confirm that combining spiritual healing with psychological therapy creates long-term resilience and transformation. Ultimately, Islamic psychology teaches that rehabilitation is not just breaking free from substances, but restoring spiritual balance, moral consciousness, and inner peace. If implemented thoughtfully, this model can help Jammu and Kashmir move from despair to hope, from addiction to recovery, and from spiritual emptiness to purpose and divine connection.

Email:-----------------------leyakatk4@gmail.com