Often when in action dependent on alcohol, we may not feel quite better about ourselves. Our low self-esteem might have been one reason we started drinking in the first place. We might have dishonestly accepted drinking; we would feel better inside. Alcohol does briefly give you a fleeting dopamine rush. Still, it’s not as perfect as getting that high from living a good, healthy life and overflowing with content.
The person engaging in alcohol abuse is not themselves, their personality starts to wear off, and they become someone who is the puppet of this addiction.
What is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol Addiction also known as Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse. In Ayurveda, Alcohol Addiction is called as Mansikam Visargah, Madyapash, Madyasakti. (Madya: Alcohol, Pash: Habit, Aasakti: Craving).
Alcohol is consumed all over the world, but the habit of being dependent on alcohol for coping with any emotions, trauma, depression, or any reason is where the addiction part takes birth. However, not everyone who consumes Alcohol is an addict but if someone is drinking and doesn’t have control over Alcohol consumption.
When one is involved in Alcohol use, it’s not just your health that is at stake; it also brings out numerous mental and social impacts, from weight gain to liver dysfunction to aggressive behavior at home, loss of income, unemployment, and harm to an unborn baby. Understanding Alcohol Addiction and looking for accessible natural treatments are instrumental ways of lessening the impact of alcohol on your life.
Alcohol Addiction Symptoms:
It is hard to tell if someone is a victim of Alcoholism or drinking now and then just for fun. Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction can include:
- Increase intake of Alcohol or frequently drinking
- Lack of hangover symptoms
- High tolerance for Alcohol
- Always wanting to be where Alcohol is present and not to be there where there is none.
- Hiding Alcohol or sneaking while drinking
- Increased depression, lethargy, or emotional issues
- Getting into problems such as arrest or loss of a job.
- Feeling cranky when not consuming Alcohol.
- Craving for Alcohol
- Problems walking steadily
- Slurred Speech
- Mood fluctuations
Who is at Risk of Alcohol Addiction?
Underage Consumption of Alcohol: If you have started drinking before the age of 15, you may be four times more likely to develop Alcoholism.
Frequent Intake of Alcohol: Consuming Alcohol too often or binge drinking can develop Alcohol Addiction.
Imbalance Mental Health: If a person is suffering from depression or bipolar disorder they can be predisposed to Alcoholism, especially if you take Alcohol to cope with emotions.
Male Gender: Men are more likely than women to become addicted to Alcohol.
Social Factors: Social culture, family issues, and poor parental and peer pressure can lead to Alcoholism.
Causes of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol sets off your mind to release the chemical dopamine. This leads your brain to good interface sentiments with drinking and propels you to need more. It also influences serotonin, affecting things like mental state and sleep.
Small quantities of alcohol might make beneficial cardiovascular impacts, and there is inescapable agreement that heavier drinking can prompt medical conditions.
Momentary impacts include headaches, memory loss and unconsciousness. Long-term issues related to heavy drinking include stomach ailments, heart issues, cancer, brain damage, serious cognitive decline and liver cirrhosis. Heavy drinkers increase their possibility of passing on from road accidents and self-destruction.
As you drink more and addiction grabs hold, you will encounter less joy (foster tolerance), and you might have withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, trembling, hallucinations, temporary memory loss, headache, nausea, insomnia, depression, sweating, and anger) when you attempt to quit drinking. Heavy drinkers will start to drink significantly more, trying to keep withdrawal under control.
3 Stages of Mansikam Visargah (Alcohol Addiction)
According to Ayurveda, the properties of alcohol are opposite to life sap (ojas) and comparable to poisons(ama). The only difference is, that alcohol is less powerful than poison, so it doesn’t kill the person. Alcohol infiltrates deeply into the tissues (dhatus). It is dry and causes drying and harshness; it spreads throughout the body and is heated. Alcohol loosens bone joints, dries life sap (ojas), and causes mental issues. There are 3 stages of addiction in Ayurveda.
First Stage:
It is the beginning or testing drink for a person indulging in alcohol intake. The person believes that he can tolerate but slowly, the quantity of consumption increases and causes a loss of life sap(ojas) and begins mental and tridosha imbalances.
Second Stage:
The person is at a critical point in choosing harmful activities and enjoying thinking about Alcohol. They begin to think they will receive true happiness from these choices. During this stage, the mind is primarily in a state of rajas (agitation-/ irritation-promoting) and tamas (slowing, clouding, dulling). Persons may go on wild rampages of harmful activity. This is where habit and self-destruction begin. Of all the ways to bring self-destruction, drinking (i.e., alcohol abuse) is the most harmful.
Third Stage:
At this stage, a person lies lifeless on the ground with various body organs getting damaged.
Treatment Of Alcohol Addiction in Ayurveda
All forms of alcoholism are Tridoshas, so one first attends to the most excessed dosha (although generally Kapha is the most excessed). If all three dosha are simultaneously imbalanced, one begins healing Kapha, then Pitta, and lastly Vata.
Detox Therapy for Alcohol Addiction
Ayushakti’s Ancient Authentic Panchkarma –detox treatment helps to manage Alcohol Addiction by removing toxins from the body.
The individual is given Panchakarma treatment at the initial stage of the therapy.
- Vamana – heaving treatment (waste products or toxins) are eliminated through upper channels i.e. mouth by vomiting.
- Virechana – laxative or purgation treatment
- Basti – enema treatment
- Nasya – This treatment opens mental channels, and restores focus, concentration and awareness. With long-term use it can also enhance memory.
This detoxifies the body and brain and gets the body ready for Ayurveda medications.
Ayurveda Herbs for Alcohol Addiction
- Herbs such as Shankhpushpi, Kanphool, and Ashwagandha can be used to improve memory and concentration and fight depression.
- Herbs like Jatamansi, Sarpgandha, and Jaiphal/ Jaipatri are great for treating insomnia and other sleeping problems.
- Aloe Vera, Punarnava, Long pepper, Kutki, and Tulsi help detoxify the liver and revive liver health damaged from alcohol abuse.
- Rasna, Guggulu, and Shallaki help to ease the body ache.
- Dashamoola, Bilva, Shyonaka, Shalaparni, and Prishnaparni helps to treat inflammation.
Ayushakti’s “Depritox” program to relieve stress, tension, anxiety, and depression from the root
Depritox combination therapies focus on three main steps which help remarkably to improve overall functions of the mental channel and restore happiness, bliss, focused mental state. Boosts your ability to face any kind of situation in life with positivity and courage.
DEPRITOX’s FIRST STEP – REMOVE
Eliminate blockages, inflammation and remove toxins from the gut and intracellular cells through the right type of detox so that proper blood supply reaches the damaged organs and intracellular toxins are cleared.
DEPRITOX’s SECOND STEP – RESTORE
Repair & restore the normal functioning of all the organs and especially the ones that are affected by the illness through the usage of powerful home remedies, diet, lifestyle changes, and marma pressure points.
DEPRITOX’s THIRD STEP – RENEW
Rebuild & renew in step by step manner using herbal formulas and therapies on damaged or weak tissues, thus creating vibrant youthful health and long-lasting relief from chronic health problems.
BOOK A CONSULTATION FOR STRESS RELIEF TREATMENT
Ayushakti recommends this tip to get rid of Alcoholism.
- Try to get engaged in productive work.
- Avoid going out of the house at night time.
- Avoid partying and meeting friends who are alcoholics to cut down your habit of drinking.
- Eat something sweet when your craving for Alcohol bothers you.
- Try to engage yourself in yoga, meditation and exercise as it brings calm to the body and mind.
- Drink pomegranate juice. It helps to clean the liver from toxins(ama) caused by Alcohol.
Takeaway
We frequently hear a drinker saying, “I drink to release my everyday stress”. Stress can be caused by various reasons, like work pressure or family stress. There are numerous options available to fight your everyday stress other than indulging in the hazardous habit of consuming alcohol or being dependent on something which will only lead you to your end.
If you’re someone who is opting for alcohol because you’re stressed. Just give our customized Stress Relief Treatment a try. Ayushakti’s Depritox program combines a specific diet, proven home remedies, effective herbal remedies, authentic detox (Panchkarma) therapies, and Marma (Ayurvedic pressure points). And don’t forget to share your experience with us.
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Blog Author: Dr Hemang Parekh
Expert Review: Dr Smita Pankaj Naram
Co-Founder, Ayushakti Ayurved Pvt Ltd
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before trying or consuming any medicines, home remedies or treatments mentioned in this blog. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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