Addictions and Addiction Relief from the Ayurvedic and Personal Perspective

This is a time to get a bit personal. Throughout life, we go through many minor and major addictions. Some have a gaming addiction, some smoking. Some perhaps dream of joining the Alcoholics Anonymus while others seek alternative ways to survive and relieve their addictions. Being addicted is sometimes a fine line. I have been addicted to whining, to finding excuses, I have been addicted to being perfect. Little did I know that this "desire of perfection" is sourced from having too much vanity. And while English is not my first language and the word vanity is translated to an abstract form between a dressing table and some natural pride, it makes sense to look a bit towards the East and read the Russian explanation for this word.

Тщесла́вие (от тщетный (напрасный) + слава). So the word vanity has two parts:

1. тщетный (напрасный) - futile, nugatory as in not having any deeper meaning or not giving the results

2. -слава, -сла́вие - glory, fame

So it means that you are sort of getting the glory for doing empty things.

In my case, I didn't realize that because of this mistake of logic, I was expecting myself to be more than others as in getting the glory in doing all these empty little things better than others would do. It is an empty chase on its own. Having named it perfectionism the behavior developed into an addictive one which eventually started blocking myself as it happens with most of the desires that go overboard and are not raised in a proper manner.

The same way, drinking alcohol and excepting to get the glory of hiding away your problems is following behaviors of little value and perhaps even getting some success, but only for a limited amount of time until this pattern doesn't fulfill the desire that has been growing on its own through substitution of what should have taken place in the first instance. So, instead of having grown in an area of problem-solving or emotional intelligence, we develop substance abuse through the substitution right. In that understanding, once we learn to keep our vanity in proper order, we should be able to change the pathways of previous addictions and behaviors.

The possible aid in addictions is not overly vast in current times. Most treatments are focus on the rehab center kind of solutions and while we are thankful for them to exist, the issue with addictions is that they developed in a certain environment and it happens all too often that when we are back to the previous environment and previous triggers after the rehabilitation center, the addiction re-emerges.

The second used option is supporting groups, usually with the group leader. While we are thankful for them, not many people may want to carry on with the stigma of having to unclose their addiction to others and on top of that, not everyone is ready to communicate to others in the manner that they are expected to in those groups. In any way, you don't find too many resources explaining addictions and finding possible pathways to relieve the addictions well as relieving the stigma that is often attached to such problems

The Ayurvedic Aspect of Addictions

In the Ayurvedic understanding of addiction, one has to focus on what is the related dosha encompassing the addiction (what are the elements of the addiction) and which dosha imbalance in your own constitution is the main cause for this type of addiction.

Now, to make the reading more prosperous, please use a pen and paper and take time to write down the type of addiction (it might be about your friend too), if you know or can guess the dosha type and after reading the following passage, from which dosha imbalance has this addiction emerged. Although the post is mainly about alcohol, smoking, and drug addiction, you can use most of the dosha advice

Vata dosha: Vata dominant constitution usually develops the nerve system based/nervous triggers dominance in the addiction. This dosha is prone to replacing one addiction to another or having many addictions at the same time. Vata often suffers a loss of objectivity about their addictions and is prone to "explanatory excuses". While Vata dosha has the power to quit addictions in a short amount of time, it also most often begins them again.

Pitta dosha: This dosha is prone to heavy waves of addiction and cyclic behavior. To start relieving the addiction, a Pitta person has to be convinced that the habit is truly destructing for them. Pitta addiction might be often adrenaline or community-oriented. Pitta is the one to smoke because of popularity and may be driven to dangerous behavior to get the rush.

Kapha dosha. This dosha is the most prone to becoming deeply attached to the addiction, the addiction becomes a family member or is of basic structural importance. Attachment (and attachment issues) is often the cause, the basis, and possible solution of the addiction. Kapha person has the most difficult time giving up their bad habits. One of the reasons is its constitutional resilience.

Alcohol.

Related to the fire element, it increases fire in the body and damages the blood, liver, and causes other Pitta diseases (inflammation, in general, are mostly related to Pitta). Alcohol addiction is often related to Pitta dosha imbalances, but not always.

Because it contains sugar, alcohol may also be a substitute for sugar addiction (mainly in Kapha and Vata dosha)

Vata type alcohol addiction: Induced by nerve system emaciation, grief, fear, too much travel, carrying overly heave objects, eating too little amount of food. Vata type is often a night drinker or drinking to get to sleep and paradoxically Vata is most prone to sleep disturbance due to drinking. Other symptoms are hiccups, difficulties breathing, tremors.

Vata Relief. Achieving regular nourishing sleep is one of the key points to relieve addictive behavior.

The goal is to moisten Vata and eating Vata-reducing foods (in this case, sours like pickles are more beneficial for Vata than sweets). Use hot baths, ointments, massages. Natural yogurt or Indian lassi has a detoxifying effect. Ginger and Indian gooseberry (Amalaki) aid in creating more sharpness, dispelling the winds of addictions. Cold grape juice helps to remove the imbalances if they are both Vata and Pitta related.

Pitta type alcohol addiction: This type is prone to drinking alcohol with sharp and sour taste while eating hot and sharp foods amounts. Pitta is often a party drinker and experiences mental confusion the most due to drinking. Other symptoms are burning sensations, fever, perspiration, constant thirst. It often helps Pitta to change the friends to avoid addictive behavior.

Relief. Cold, bitter, and astringent qualities might help to reduce pitta addiction. Pitta often becomes too alkaline due to alcohol consumption. Cold and sour drinks, pomegranate, cane sugar and ámalakí mixed with basmati rice, peas, green lentils, ámalakí water are beneficial. Staying in cool rooms and enjoying breezes. Walking in the moonlight, wearing clothes made of flax and staying near flowers (lotus and lily flower are the best). Green colors and green gems (emerald, jade) are told to relieve this type of Pitta addiction. Melodius music, subtle jokes, and sandalwood helps to alleviate the burning sensations

Kapha type alcoholism: Prone to drinking sweet alcoholic drinks with rather heavy foods

sweet wine, while eating sweet, oily, and heavy foods and just sitting in home comfort and taking frequent naps. Vomiting, excess sleep, skin rashes, nausea, heaviness, talking very little, easily slurred speech are the symptoms of Kapha-related alcoholism symptoms. Kapha would be aided through regular exercise, being overall active, and staying in natural sunlight often.

Relief. Kapha needs moderation practice. It might be paying attention to portion sizes or any other method. If Kapha suffers from inertia and loss of appetite, fasting is the first aid in that. Drinking warm water with balá helps to aid with thirst. Ginger and honey drinks should be used (but always with moderation practice). Using hot baths and steam baths, enough movement and physical exercise, staying up late and waking early (no naps), dry-body massage and wearing heavier clothes. Inhaling warm aromas, such as frankincense and cedar, is also helpful.

Directly From the Book:

Recipe aiding with alcohol addiction for Pitta and Kapha imbalances (NB! Increases Vata)

Liver, Spleen, Gall Bladder Disorders

Serves: 4-5 people

Preparation: 30 minutes

1/2 cup basmati rice

1/2 cup lima beans

2 cups fresh corn

2 cups green beans

2 1/2 cups múng bean sprouts

1 tsp. turmeric

1 bunch cilantro

1 tsp. mañjishóhá

1 tsp. gokshura

2 cups of water

1 tsp. bhúmíámalakí

5 tsp. ghee

1 bunch dandelion root

Reduce the flame to a slow boil and cook for 10 minutes (add more water if needed).

Put a little water in another pot and place a steamer inside. Place the corn and green beans in the

steamer and boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

When the food is ready, put the ghee in a frying pan and turn the heat to high. Put a drop of water in the pan. When it sizzles, lower the flame and add the spices, stirring until the aroma of the herbs

is released. Add the rice and dal to the mixture in the frying pan and stir for 15 to 30 seconds. Add amúng bean sprout salad to the meal.

Smoking.

Containing elements of fire and air, it can be caused by any of the dosha imbalances.

Possibly most often it is related to the nervous triggers of Vata imbalance.

Vata—smoking to calm anxiety and worry. First body symptoms include dry cough, constipation, and lung weakness (shallow breath and diminished lung capacity)

Pitta—smoking to feel the fire and power. The first symptoms include lung, liver, and blood

infections.

Kapha—smoking to feel clearer and stimulated. Symptoms include airways congestions.

Drug addiction.

Drug addiction often happens through disturbance of the mind-body connection, mostly through depleted or weak Sattva and Sattvic practices. Challenge your mind-body connection by reading the following explanation.

Hallucinogens should be noted separately as they raise the mental fire (tejas) and create artificially seemingly clear perception and experience of higher consciousness. However, they burn down the ojas (read about the ojas here) and eventually weaken overall vitality and ability to put these experiences into greater use.

Vata—prone to become greatly imbalanced by any drug use (prescribed, non-prescribed, recreational). As drugs are also often diuretics, they tend to aggravate the Vata dryness. Vata is often more sensitive and needs lower than usual dosages to get the same effect of the drug.

"I am taking these drug because I need help with the side effect of those other drugs," says Vata with a dry mouth

Pitta—the most prone to stimulant use, which only aggravates Pitta causing burnout and eye damage or burning sensation in eyes. "I am only overdoing it today, it gives me power. Tomorrow I'll take it easy, I can't see anything wrong with that " says Pitta passionately

Kapha - when taking any kinds of prescription drugs, it often increases dullness and inertia (tamas). "I am taking these pills so I don't have to spend time on health/weight management etc" says Kapha with unshakeable stubbornness.

Mind-Body Connection

Pay attention that addictions are mostly supported by either Rajasic or Tamasic guna (read more about the gunas here). In all cases, improve your Sattvic practices. Tamasic guna excess will cause you to have lack of esteem to start curing the addiction. A rajasic person can't seem to sit in one place to objectify the situation

If someone is feeling a bit tamasic, perhaps a brisk walk instead of a cup of coffee can help move them in the direction of sattva.

A person feeling hyper-vigilant or rajasic may benefit from a round of alternate nostril breathing instead of a glass of wine (https://www.theartofhealing.com.au/3_gunas.html)

References

The Ayurveda Encyclopedia - Natural Secrets to Healing, Prevention and Longetivity. Svami Sada Shiva, Tirtha, 2007

The Art of Healing https://www.theartofhealing.com.au/3_gunas.html

#Curingaddiction #alcoholism #ayurveda #ayurvedaaddiction