Addiction is a primary chronic disease of brain reward,
motivation, memory and related activity. Addiction affects neurotransmission
and interactions within reward structures of the brain, including the nucleus
accumbens, anterior cingulate cortex, basal forebrain and amygdala, such that
motivational hierarchies are altered and addictive behaviours, which may or may
not include alcohol and other drug use, supplant healthy, self-care related
behaviors. Addiction also affects neurotransmission and interaction between
cortical and hippocampal circuits and brain reward structures, such that the
memory of previous exposures to rewards (such as food, sex, alcohol, and other
drugs) leads to a biological and behavioral response to external cues, in turn
triggering craving and/or engagement in addictive behaviors.
Causes:
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors interact with the person's biology and thus affect the extent to which genetic factors exert their influence.
- Culture
- Cognitive and affective distortions, which impair perceptions and compromise the ability to deal with feelings, resulting in significant self- deception.
- Disruption of healthy social supports and problems in interpersonal relationships which impact the development or impact resiliences.
- The presence of an underlying biological deficit in the function of reward circuits, such that drugs and behaviors which enhance reward function are preferred and sought as reinforcers.
- Repeated engagement in the use of drug or engagement in addictive behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by:
· Inability to consistently abstain
According to Ayurveda, addiction is considered under the topic
of Madatyaya, meaning intoxification. madatyaya is the state or symptoms that
arises due to continuous use or a high dose of substances that are
intoxificating. In Ayurveda, Madya is the opposite of ojas(source of energy),
which is a pre-requisite for good health and wellness. Madya diminishes ojas in
the body, and when a person reaches that stage, he/she experiences the symptoms
of madatyaya.
Doshas and
Addictions:
The intake of drugs
can lead to the aggravation of one or more doshas, which are vata, pitta and
kapha. Symptoms are experienced based on the type of dosha that is aggravated.
Symptoms
of Vata type
·
Headache
·
Difficulty in breathing
·
Insomnia
·
Hallucinations
·
Anxiety
·
Erratic moods
Symptoms
of Pitta type
·
Burning in the stomach and digestive problems
·
Excessive sweating
·
Thirst
·
Diarrhea
·
Fever
·
Giddiness and violence
Symptoms
of Kapha type
·
Excessive sleep
·
Lethargy
·
Heaviness in the body
·
Nausea
·
Vomiting
In Ayurveda, considers three basic types of energy, which include vata,
pitta and kapha. Vata is the energy of movement, pitta is the energy of
metabolism and digestion, while kapha is the energy of structure and
lubrication. The cause of any disease is often associated with a lack of proper
cellular function due to deficiency or excess of pitta.
Line of
treatment:
· Ayurvedic Treatment for Addiction includes Counseling and rooting the cause of addition, counseling for de-addiction, Balancing the aggravated dosha at the body-mind level, improving metabolism, strengthening immune system, detoxification, rejuvenation.
· Treatments - The treatment modalities includes panchakarma, external therapies, internal medications, Activities, Advice of food and life style changes.
·
Panchakarma – Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya ,
·
Externally – Sirodhara, Abhyanga, Shiro Basti, Shiro Pichu, Pada
Abhyanga
· Internally – Medhya Rasayanas – Herbs to strengthen the
mind, improve concentration and its functional ability.
Activities:
Specific Asanas, Panayamas, meditation, kriyas, deep relaxation
techniques
Food: specific
to the individuals constitution, nature of work and geographical conditions. –
Satwick food
Lifestyle changes:
specific to the individuals addiction, constitution, nature of work and
geographical conditions.work and geographical conditions.