A state of mind where you are completely overtaken by a habit, be it drugs, alcohol, watching porn, playing video games or even chewing mouth freshener, and it does not remain in your control any longer is called addiction. Sometimes situations become so critical that the addicted person is sent to a rehabilitation center. Ayurveda has existed since the time immemorial and its huge pool of knowledge has ways to heal addiction too. Here, in this article, we will discuss how you can successfully pull addicts out of this black hole. There are no ingredients that will heal the addiction. It is an 8-step procedure which is to be followed religiously and with sheer willpower to overcome.
According to Ayurveda, every material thing including our body is comprised of panchatatva or Mahabhutas. They are space, water, fire, air, and earth. Human beings are made up of three dominants bhutas which make us what we are and what will our nature be. These three components are together called doshas. There are three combinations of doshas and they are the Air element or Vata, the Fire element or Pitta and the water element the Kapha.
How Addiction is Healed with Ayurveda
Step 1
The procedure starts with identifying the dosha of the addict. Vata types are creative, the thinkers, agile both physically and mentally and prone to be anxious. Pittas are born to lead, focused, ambitious and aggressive and impatient by nature. While Kaphas are easy going, avoid the clash and always fatigued and bothered by inertia. Healing procedure aims at providing calm and rests which can be attained differently in each case. So the process starts with diagnosing the dosha of the addicted person.
Step 2
According to Ayurveda, there is a vital energy which runs our body and this energy is called ojas. It is said that this is the essence of human form secreted by tissues, plasma, blood, fat, muscles and bones to give us strength and power of mind and body. When addicted, this ojas is continuously depleted. So second step of addiction healing constitutes ojas restoration which is mainly done through diet which is rich in nutrients and antioxidants like fruits, fresh vegetables, lentils etc. and spices like fennel seeds, ginger, and cinnamon. Processed food is strictly prohibited.
Step 3
This step aims at cultivating or restoring our natural intelligence or tejas. This energy enables our body to function on its own which is no less than miracles. Circulation of blood, carrying oxygen to the brain, metabolizing nutrition from food and so on. Tejas is restored by calming of the nervous system. It helps in subjugating the cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Step 4
In this step, panchakarma or five actions are involved. This is the step of detoxification and purification. This is done in three phases of preparing, cleansing, and rejuvenation. In the first phase, pure essential oil is applied to remove the accrued toxins in the body. It is done through hot steam and massage which mobilizes these toxins towards GI tract for final elimination. The second phase of cleansing aims at complete elimination of toxins by applying herbal oils with medicinal properties through three actions
intestinal irrigation, nasal irrigation and oral elimination. Now comes the final phase, essential oils made of flowers and plants with healing properties like ashwagandha, brahmi and guggulu are applied in unique ways that contribute to pacify the nervous system and promote the growth of healthy cells.
Step 5
This is the step of revitalization and healing or prana. A deep breath helps oxygenation. When in stress, our body does not get the required amount of oxygen due to shallow breaths. Oxygenation can be done by performing pranayama which moves the vital energy around the body. This results in cellular regeneration and healing of impaired cells.
Step 6
This is the most important step where willpower to overcome the addiction is required. In this step, the old habits replace good habits. This good habit is yoga. It calms both body and mind. The calmed nervous system and endocrine system stimulates the secretion of hormones that heal the brain to produce alpha waves. This helps in visualization sans emotion which means you can see your past deeds and judge it from a neutral platform. This vanquishes the trigger which is used to urge you to indulge in addiction and you decide to leave that world by your choice.
Step 7
Yoga Nidra is meditating while lying on your back. This step shuts all other sensory faculties except for hearing. In yoga nidra you activate the state of rest which we actually do when we sleep, but here we do it without being asleep. This rest repairs the impaired parts imparts a vision cleansed of negative thoughts and induces relaxation.
Step 8
The procedure ends at step 7 and from step 8 starts everyday medicine which is a meditation to keep the addicted person away from withdrawal symptoms and relapses. Meditation strengthens the pre-frontal cortex of the brain. The power to decide and function is impaired in addiction. Continuous meditation while undertaking the rest of the phases yields the result quicker.