Addiction is a dependence on mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse consequences. It is a widespread problem and millions of people battle addictions to alcohol, nicotine and other drugs MensHealthStart. Addiction can cause an intense craving for alcohol or drug. You may want to quit, but most people find that they can’t do it on their own.

Ayurveda describes addiction under the topic of Madatya. Madatya is the state or symptoms that arise due to continuous use or a high dose of substances that are intoxicating. Although madatya describes intoxication of any kind but alcohol (madya) was the main reference.

Ayurveda approaches this problem holistically in which the cure from addictions is based on treating the cause instead of symptoms. The alcohol consumption or smoking is only a symptom. Underlying reasons could be different like stress, emotional or social reason.

The person tries to dissolve his worries in alcohol, but he or she ends up more worried and disheartened.