Alcohol use, its addiction and the related health effects are a global problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that harmful alcohol use is the third leading risk factor for premature deaths and disabilities in the world. Drinking alcohol is associated with a risk of developing such health problems as alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, cancers and injuries. Alcohol addicts once stops alcohol or reduces the amount leads to withdrawal symptoms and sadness dawns with greater amplitude. The focus is therefore on creating more awareness and preventing this menace. There are various treatment methods and medicine used to de-addict the patient. A successful episode of treatment and discharge from a short spell in treatment doesn’t always equate to sustained long-term recovery. Often cited triggers for relapses include negative mood states such as anxiety and depression, boredom, stressors in day to day life, inadequate coping strategies.
Alcohol Dependence- It is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive and physiological factors that typically include a strong desire to drink alcohol and difficulties in controlling its use. Alcohol withdrawal, the physical and psychological symptoms that people can experience when they suddenly reduce the amount of alcohol they drink if they have previously been drinking excessively for prolonged periods of time. It includes Nausea/Vomiting (Hrillas / Chhardi), Tremors (Kamppa), Anxiety (Avasada), Agitation (Uddveg), Paroxysmal sweat (Swed), Orientation & clouding of sensorial (Smritibhransh) Tactile disturbances (Sparsh vibhram) Auditory disturbances (Shrota vibhram) Visual disturbances (Drashti vibhram) Headache (Shirasoola) Insomnia (Anindra). These withdrawal symptoms generally begin within 5 to 10 h of decreased ethanol intake, peak in intensity on day 2 or 3, and improve by day 4 or 5. Anxiety, insomnia, and mild levels of autonomic dysfunction may persist to some degree for more than 6 months as a protracted abstinence syndrome, which may contribute to the tendency to return to drinking.
Ayurvedic Aspect Of Alcohol Addiction:
Acharya Charak stated that the substance which becomes homologous by continuous utilization is called Oak satmya (Acquired homologation). Acharya Chakrapani stated in Ayurveddipika that the Apathya (unwholesome) substance is more harmless if it becomes homologous due to continuous utilization though it may be poisonous. Drug addiction is the process in which the person becomes physiologically dependent on that drug due to continuous utilization. Here addicted people are also homologous with alcohol. Hence both the process of addiction and Satmya are somewhat similar. The only difference is that satmya has less craving than addiction after withdrawal. Mahrshi Vedavyas has also mentioned in his Mahakavya Bhagvatgeeta that the Sidha Purush (Ascetic) are free from all the indulgence but the common people cannot because the perception of substance will remain in the body. Hence the alcohol addicted person will try to leave the alcohol, but the body will give reminders to him, because of that he always has that craving.
Astang Yoga
Aacharya Patanjali in second century BC described Ashtang yoga, having eight limbs which comprised of Yamas (ethical disciplines), Niyamas (individual observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (self-realization or enlightenment).
During the treatment of de-addiction when patients stop alcohol, they will suffer from withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms subside within a week or 10 days but some may last for 6 months like Anxiety, insomnia, and mild levels of autonomic dysfunction. This Ashtang yoga can wonderfully be applied in the above condition of alcohol addict patients for improving their mental status, reducing the anxiety, agitation, insomnia, loss of memory etc. It also improves body strength, mental strength and prevents so many disorders which can develop due to alcohol addiction or its withdrawal. And also it improves the will power of the patient to reduce or stop the chance of recurrence of alcohol. Asanas are physical postures which stretch and strengthen different parts of the body, massaging and bringing fresh blood to the internal organs while rejuvenating the nervous system and lubricating the joints, muscles and ligaments. Some postures relieve constipation and help bowel movement.
Pranayama is known to increase parasympathetic tone, decrease sympathetic tone, improve cardiovascular and respiratory functions, decrease the effects of stress and strain on the body, and improve physical and mental health. Pranayam makes patient better, more confident and competent decisions. And with this, comes the ability to deal with stressful situations, knowing that they now have to handle positive ways of dealing with it. This makes them feel happier and more content.
Dhyana (Meditation) is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth. It helps to overcome negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts.
Niyamas are useful for alcoholic patient like Shaucha (Internal and external purification) Svadhyay (study) Ishvarapranidhanan (worship of God) which increase spirituality and give confidence or willpower to stop alcohol for whole life and he becomes confident that God will improve my physical and mental health.
Final notes:
Yoga and meditation were found to dramatically reduce alcohol intake in clinical research. According to a scientific investigation including participants who consume alcohol on a regular basis, 40% of those who have been meditating for more than two years quit alcohol in the first six months, and 60% quit after 25-39 months of meditative practice. Furthermore, 54 percent of this cohort had stopped drinking alcoholic drinks.
Yoga is a holistic intervention that originated in India several thousand years ago and in its true forms it has immense health benefits. Yogas therapeutic potential in psychiatric conditions such as depression has been studied extensively, but their benefit in addictive disorders is yet to be systematically explored. Preliminary findings from studies in the field of yoga and psychiatry indicate changes in neurophysiological, neuroimmunological and neuroimaging measures, thus establishing a scientific basis for yoga treatment. Yoga practice brings balance into the body- at both physical and mental levels. It restores a sense of wellbeing and gives more energy to patients. In short Ashtang Yoga stimulates a wide array of addiction recovery. It is a technique to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure needs of their subject.
