Holistic De – Addiction Program

Addiction affects every aspect of a person's life. We must take into account the well-being of the whole person including physical, mental, social, spiritual and environmental factors. While treating patients with dignity and respect, these programs recognize the humanity of each individual and work to restore balance in every aspect of life. Addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other destructive behaviours are usually symptoms of deeper underlying issues. Holistic approach takes a comprehensive look at physical and emotional aspects of an individual rather than treating only the symptom or behaviour. Holistic approach to addiction can be of great assistance throughout the stages of de-addiction and recovery. From detoxification to reducing stress and improving mental and physical well being, holistic approach plays a vital role in regaining harmony.

We at SOUKYA / SAHAYA adopt a holistic approach in treating such condition, with the co-operation of the patient’s families. The focus is to prepare an individual to refrain from the habit, to get rid of the toxic effects, and to make the person mentally strong not to get back to the habit.

A detailed evaluation is done to elicit the cause and symptoms, after which an individualized treatment protocol is designed. Experts from Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy are involved in the treatment.

Yoga, Nutritional Therapies, Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, Mud therapy, Hydrotherapy, special Ayurvedic therapies like Dhara, Thalam, Abhyanga, Vasti, Nasyam have proven highly beneficial in managing addictions. It can help to reduce tension, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and can increase personal awareness, improving overall physical, mental, and spiritual well being. Counseling is done to encourage and strengthen the person mentally to get rid of the habit.
By offering a broad selection of traditional holistic therapies, those suffering from addiction receive the most progressive form of therapy designed to suit their particular needs. This gives recovering addicts every opportunity for a successful and insightful long-term recovery.

The de- addiction treatment program can vary from 1 – 3 months. The person needs to come back for the follow up in 3-6 months time for couple of weeks. Also medications, diet and exercise to continue are prescribed.

Ayurvedic Approach
De addiction programmes in ayurveda focus on several methods selected to solve the consequences connected with drugs, smoking and liquor addiction etc.

In De- addiction program Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies will help the patient to overcome from addiction consequences. The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to eliminate the toxins, they are categorized as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and involve various types of therapies and treatment procedures l like herbal purification methods, sirodhara, takradhara, thalam, choorna sweda, Abhyanga, nasyam, virechanam, vasti.

The rasayana therapy is meant to rejuvenate the body, this process will help to regenerate the body and restore the doshas. These include diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. The results will visible itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.

The Ayurvedic diet provides the patient with sufficient nutrition and plenty of rest to the affected organs, so diet regulation is also helpful in such cases. Diet rich in proteins and carbohydrates and low in fats is recommended. The patient should eat fibre rich food and plenty of raw vegetables. Intake of coffee and tea etc should be reduced and alcohol and cigarette should not be touched.

Shirodhara - Shira means head and dhara means the continuous maintained flow, or stream of liquid. The continuous pouring of a steam of liquid that could be made up of medicated oils, decoctions, milk, buttermilk, or herbal juices on the forehead at a specific height, period of time, and temperature is termed shirodhara. Shirodhara is an excellent remedy to combat stress and also to get rid of the harmful effects of stress. Strengthens the individual’s commanding powers, ability to make the mind and body very strong. Relaxes and calms the mind completely, thus aids in relieving tensions and stress. Is also very beneficial in conditions such as anxiety, in mental diseases such as depressions, hallucinations, psychosis, and addictions.
Takra Dhara - Specialized Ayurvedic technique where medicated buttermilk or takra is used to pour continuously over the forehead is termed as takra dhara. When medicated buttermilk or takra is used in the process of Shirodhara, it is called takra dhara. This is part of Keraliya Pancha Karma therapy, which has been found to be safe and effective in (Pitta dominating) addictive disorders. The importance of the treatment lies upon the preparation of medicated milk and the conversion of milk to buttermilk.
Choorna Sweda - In this procedure fomentation is carried out with poultices made up of herbal powders. It can be given with or without oil application depending on the nature of the particular disease being treated, and the constitution or strength of the patient. It makes the body feel lighter, helps to open up the micro channels of the body; improves circulation, helps in elimination of toxins.
Thalam - Specialized procedure where medicated paste is made and applied on the centre of the head for certain amount of time. Medicated ghee is often used as the medium. Medicinal paste depends on the person and the disease. Very effective treatment for de addiction
Abhyanga is a procedure which involves application of oil over the body. Topical or external use of medicated oils to produce smoothness or oiliness of the body is termed as external oleation. There are different methods of which abhyanga is the most common. Abhyanga is defined as the application of oil or other lubricants over the body. It should be done over the head, ears & feet. Abhyanga is used as a preliminary treatment for panchakarma and palliative purposes.
Virechanam (Purgation Therapy) - Pancha karma or the five evacuative procedures are designed to eliminate the perturbed doshas and restore their balance, producing health and well – being. Virechanam is a specific process for elimination of pitta dosha, or pitta dominating doshas through and route. Two preparatory steps should be taken before giving virechanam – lubrication and fomentation. These two procedures help to loosen and mobilize the doshas from the body channels to the alimentary canal. Various preparations of the virechanam medication may be administered orally in forms of an herbal past, decoction powder or oil. Selection of the medicine depends on desired effect, the constitution of the patient, and condition of the disease. Strict diet regimen is required before and after the treatment. Main benefits are it eliminates toxins from the body, Restores normal strength and complexion of the body. Enhances the actions of the sensory organs, corrects the digestive system.

Nasya means nasal administration of medicines. Being one among the ‘Panchakarma’ procedures, Nasyam is a treatment in which herbal juices and medicated oils are applied through the nose. It detoxifies the upper part of the body, cleanses the micro channels, improves the memory and strengthens the nervous system. Helpful in mental disorders, anxiety neurosis. This is very effective in addiction as it detoxifies the brain and strengthens the central nervous system.
Vasti - Vasti is the most important procedure of panchakarma therapy, designed to purify vata dosha through ano-rectum. Vata (wind) governs all the activities in our body. There is no remedy other than vasti for purification of vata dosha. In this procedure, medicated oils, decoctions, and pastes with herbal oils are introduced to the large intestine through the anus with the help of a special apparatus. Vasti is not the enema described in modern medicine. With the use of different combinations of many medicines vasti does much more, including the elimination of doshas (toxins), samshamana of the diseases (curing), and increases the strength of the patient to which it is applied. Since vasti has the capacity to eradicate most of the diseases in any part of the body, vasti is referred to as ‘half of the whole treatment’ and sometimes a complete treatment. As a result of excretion of vitiated vata, pitta and kapha the physiological equilibrium in three doshas can be maintained and it results in good health. Vasti therapy is a complex process in which various factors work in collaboration with each other to produce the beneficial effects. When introduced through the rectum, the vasti dravya normally comes out after some time along with dosha, toxins, fecal matter and flatus. Vasti activates Autonomic nervous system and controls and regulates various organs and processes of the body. Although vasti dravya come out in due time, the virya or potency of medicine spreads through and expels out the toxins the body.

Naturopathic therapies for De – Addiction

Colonic Irrigation – The colon is the seat of all toxins in the body. It is the region where formation and excretion of the feces takes place and also the region where minerals and nutrients from the stool are reabsorbed. Helps bring about efficient elimination of waste products, rebalances body chemistry and detoxification process
Vamana Kriya –Purificatory techniques in yoga which focus mainly on the cleansing the digestive system and the excretory system through very simple means. Kriyas also help strengthen the nerves, sharpen the memory, and strengthen the glands, as well as for internal purification.
Acupuncture An ancient Chinese method, wherein fine needles are inserted in specific energy points in the body to allow the body to heal, as well as to balance itself. Specific points on the energy channels of the body are chosen depending on the specific disease or condition to be treated. Special needles are inserted into these points and left in for 20-30 minutes.
Auriculotherapy – Certain points on each ear represent all the internal organs of the body as well as vital functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, as well as thirst and hunger. Focus is put on the points that correlate to the internal organs or functions to be treated. In this procedure special needles are inserted on the specific points or regions that correlate with the organs that need correction and left on for 30 minutes. The needles may also be left in for a few days at a time with some daily stimulation. Auriculotherapy stimulates and normalizes the functions of the organs, helps to get rid of addictions, helps balance the heart rate and pulse rate, normalize the appetite and to reduce the cravings, irritations, anxiety & to induce good sleep.
Spinal Bath – Also called anti-stress bath. Patient is placed in a bathtub that is specially designed with a pipe running down the middle that sprays jets of water through tiny holes against the spine. The main benefits are it stimulates the spinal nerves, relaxes the paraspinal muscles, helps in regulating the moods (anxiety / depression), relaxes irritable nerves and to stimulate the central nervous system.
Local Mud application/ Mud Packs – to stimulate the blood circulation to organs mainly liver
Wet Packs / Full body wrap – It is a procedure where cotton cloth is submerged in water of a desirable temperature, wrung out, and wound on a region tightly without interfering with circulation. A flannel is wrapped around the cotton cloth to maintain the temperature of the underlying pack. It improves the blood circulation towards periphery, activates the sweat glands to eliminate toxins.
Reflexology –Healing technique used to relax the nerves and release trapped energy. There are energy zones that run throughout the body and reflex areas in the feet that correspond to all the major organs, glands and body parts. Using thumb and finger pressure, the vital points in the feet and palms are pressed (also rotation of the patient’s digits, and stretching of the skin on the soles and palms, and other movements). This is done on the bare skin of the feet and palms. Benefits are reduces stress and induces deep relaxation, improves circulation, vitalizes energy, encourages healing in combination with specific treatments. It mainly to calm down the central nervous system
Yoga Therapy – Yoga techniques and practices to help individuals facing health challenges at any level manage their condition, reduces symptoms, restore balance, increase vitality, and improve attitude. It includes Asana, Pranayama, Relaxation techniques, Meditation, Kriyas
Steam Bath – detoxifies the body by sweating.
Naturopathic Diet is prescribed to strengthen the body, overcome the cravings and to cleanse the system off toxins.
Fasting is also recommended for faster recovery.

Our Approach at SAHAYA would require minimum 1 month to 3 months of stay depending on the condition, age, severity and other medical conditions. Also regular follow up sessions are required. The following treatment protocols will be involved.

Homeopathy Remedies
Ayurvedic Therapies
Ayurvedic herbal remedies
Naturopathy Therapies
Yoga Therapy and Kriya
Counseling
Rehabilitation
Vocational training to develop new hobbies