Ayurveda and Drug Addiction

by Dr.Sree Sai Phiro Yogi

Drug abuse and addiction is a widespread problem. Millions of people battle addictions to nicotine, alcohol and illicit drugs. Initially, a person may start to take a drug socially or as an artificial way to relax. Becoming addicted is not the intention of recreational drug use, but addiction can occur when drug use becomes frequent. Eventually it can become a habit. Ayurveda considers addiction as madatya, which means "intoxication". Madatya is the state or symptoms that arise due to continuous use or a high dose of substances that are intoxicating. According to modern medicine, there are four stages involved in the process of addiction or drug dependence. These are acute intoxication, symptoms of withdrawal, drug dependence and finally drug abuse. The state of madatya is comparable to the third and fourth of these stages. , which is not only costly but also destructive. In Ayurveda every disorder can be explained in terms of aggravation of the doshas. By intake of drugs one or more doshas may aggravate causing the following symptoms:

1. Vata aggravation: creates symptoms like headache, difficulty in breathing, insomnia, vivid dreams, hallucinations, constipation, anxiety, shaking and erratic moods and thoughts.

2. Pitta aggravation: causes burning in the stomach and digestive problems, excessive sweating and thirst, diarrhea, fever, giddiness and eye redness. Aggression and violence can also be triggered.

3. Kapha aggravation: causes excessive sleep, lethargy, heaviness in the body, nausea and vomiting.

4. Tridosha aggravation: causes a combination of the above symptoms.
In Ayurveda treatment aims to balance the aggravated dosha. When treating a person suffering from a drug addiction, the initial step is to locate the main dosha aggravated and prescribe alleviating treatment.

A complete treatment for addictions may therefore involve several different treatments over several weeks or even months. Initially, panchakarma cleans the body of accumulated toxins. Herbal remedies then treat the addiction and its physical or psychological effects. Dietary modifications to increase sattvic foods and encourage the formation of the vital fluid ojas are implemented. Psychological counseling, and activities such as meditation and yoga assist the mind to become balanced and clear. With support and discipline, an addiction can be controlled and eradicated.

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