Addiction – Alcohol/ Drug

Intoxicating yourself with an overdose of alcohol or drug use can be inimical to you or yourself. Alcohol addiction including chain smoking can impair your kidney, lungs, heart, liver, etc, and muddle up your life emotionally, personally, and physically too.

‘’The general belief is drug addiction or intoxication of any kind is a social as well as a psychological problem, which needs a holistic approach of treatment keeping in mind the affected person’s socio-economic condition and atmosphere in mind.’’

As we know, when you are addicted to a chemical substance, you lose control of your life. It doesn’t matter what substance you are addicted to alcohol, nicotine, or drugs- the effects could be the same. It can be relatively difficult, if not impossible, to give up alcohol and/or nicotine addiction. Most people find it difficult to give up these substances even after years of De-Addiction Therapy.

We all know the ugly side of any kind of addiction that a person might knowingly or unknowingly fall into. Addictive habits to substances like drugs, alcohol, smoking, liquors, etc. are not only an individual’s problem but also affect his/her family, surrounding and society as a whole. The addicted individual spends a lot of time and money, often exceeding what he has or he can afford causing financial, physical, family, and social problems

The human brain produces Dopamine normally and what alcohol does is activate the nervous system to promote dopamine formation. The brain thus remembers the taste of alcohol and nicotine by creating special cells called receptor cells. As a person increases the quantity of alcohol, these cells also increase in numbers. When the person wants to give up his addictions these receptor cells agitate and create withdrawal symptoms with unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms.

‘’ Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Hydrogen Cyanide, Arsenic, and DDT. Perhaps this list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes is enough to make you want to quit smoking for good! ”

Ayurveda does just that and adopts a systematic approach to the treatment of such cases recommending herbal medicines, exercises, personal counseling, and meditation as part of that.

Diagnosis of Addiction and Treatment in Ayurveda

• The diagnosis in Ayurveda comprises a detailed understanding of a person’s characteristics, habits, sleep patterns, hereditary traits, body type, etc. as a first step.
• Followed by that will be an understanding of the state of the Tridoshas within an individual – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurveda believes that the problems in the Human Body are caused due to the misbalance among these three Doshas.
• Diagnosis may also consist of clinical tests.
• Some of the other diagnosis techniques that are frequently used by Ayurvedic experts are the diagnosis of the tongue, diagnosis of nails, eye diagnosis, and diagnosing the pulse. These diagnostics provide vital clues about the nature and tendencies of the individual.

Purification or Panchakarma Therapy –

• These are also known as Panchakarma therapies which target uprooting the toxins present in the patient’s body. These are quite potent therapies and are generally done under the supervision of an Ayurvedic expert physician in Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic.
• Virechanam is the therapy that comprises taking a mixture of herbal medicinal plants or their parts. This therapy eliminates the toxic substances from the body via the anal route. Herbs like Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Embelia, etc. are used for this purpose.
• Another popular cleansing therapy used is Vamanam, which can be called therapy for vomiting. This method uses the upper track leading to the mouth, to cleanse the toxins caused due to indigestion of food.

Rasayana Therapies –

• These therapies generally follow the Panchakarma treatments which purify the body. This set of procedures further nourishes and strengthens the body after Panchkarma
• For addiction-related problems, Rasayana treatments include dietary changes and consuming oral herbal medicines.

Herbal Medicines used in De-Addiction –

A range of herbal medicines and their combinations are used in the treatment of addictive problems in Ayurveda and these are to be consumed orally. Ayurveda prescribes Chamomile and Ashwagandha in combination to heal the lungs. These help in cleansing the lungs of smoke-related problems. Doctors at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic also prescribe congestion-relieving herbs like Ginger and Pepper mixed with honey or lemon. 

In addition, herbs also improve memory, and concentration, and fight depression are also given, such as:

• Shankhapushpi
• Kanphool or Dandelion
• Brahmi
• Ashwagandha
• Herbs to treat sleep disturbances like Jatamansi, Brahmi, and Jaiphal are also prescribed. Since most addicts have impaired liver function, herbs that improve liver function like Aloe Vera, Punarnava, Long pepper, Kutki, and Tulsi are given to revive the liver Functions. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult Ayurveda Experts at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic care.

Recommended Dietary Changes by Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic:

• Ayurveda begins to rejuvenate the body by placing addicts on a diet that includes foods like almonds, pine nuts, ghee (clarified butter), and sesame seeds.
• Cold and iced drinks are usually removed from the diet and replaced with herbal tea mixed with household spices.
• Diet rich in proteins and carbohydrates and low in fats is recommended. The patient should eat fiber-rich food and plenty of raw vegetables. Intake of coffee and tea etc should be reduced and alcohol should not be consumed.