HEALING POWER OF AYURVEDA FOR ADDICTION

Abstract

Addiction is habitual psychological or physiological dependence on a substance or practice that is beyond voluntary control. It is a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Addiction causes widespread harmful effect to human being along with its social consequences. The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substance such as heroin or alcohol. A person who cannot stop taking a particular drug or chemical has substance dependence. In Ayurveda every human being is considered a combination of both mind and body. The perfect balance of mind, body and soul is considered ideal health in Ayurveda and is the result of a pure body and selfless mind. There are specific mental treatments in Ayurveda to cure physical problems as well as mental disorders. The mental attitude of a person plays an important role in the caring process. Even modern medical science admits that there is a direct co-relation between a healthy mind and healthy body. Ayurveda helps in an addict’s long-term recovery by changing their lifestyle rather than simply giving them a pill to swallow. Ayurvedic therapy is generally accomplished through a careful diet, herbal medicines, exercise, massage therapy, personal counseling and forms of Yoga. Present article is aimed to explore all the possible treatment modalities from the treasure of Ayurved texts which may be used for de-addiction