Physical and Mental Rehabilation of an Alcoholic

Physical and Mental Rehabilation of an Alcoholic

This is a riposte to the show about the banning of alcohol in some states in the country. We the People, a popular programme on NDTV, was anchored by Barkha Dutt and deliberated on the issue on the 17th of April 2016.   Without getting into the merits of the issue, a simple question arises in my mind - can we ban thoughts?  The mind is bombarded by approximately 50 to 60,000 thoughts in a day. An alcoholic's mind is extraordinarily sharp despite suffering from this medical malady. An alcoholic will employ all possible means at his disposal to acquire the prized possession. Like fish is to water, an alcoholic is to liquor.

The cause of alcoholism is the negative and destructive pattern of thinking and a deranged thought process. The problem can be addressed through getting an alcoholic admitted for a rehabilitation programme,  joining Alcoholics Anonymous, a self-help group, undertaking the Happiness Programme of The Art of Living( where the unique breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya is imparted), or undergoing the Vipassana breathing technique.

These techniques can be of help only when the alcoholic acknowledges the problem and does not live in the world of self-denial but submits to a power that is much superior to him or her.  Through the grave indulgence of Bacchus and reckless drinking, alcoholics cause immense damage to all the organs of the human body. This is no rocket science and is known to the afflicted.   To begin with, the stomach, pancreas, liver, esophagus, and the small and large intestine get adversely damaged. Once the gut is affected, it has a debilitating impact on the circulatory and nervous systems. Alcoholics develop heart ailments, problems with blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis, among others.  One organ after the other starts collapsing, and eventually an alcoholic becomes a vegetable. The alcoholic finally ends up in the ICU or is in the grave. The cause of alcoholism is the negative and destructive pattern of thinking.

And in the amphitheater of the mind, nothing can be banned. This is an advisory for all alcoholics and recovering alcoholics( those who have turned sober through the gift of the Divine) regarding their eating and drinking patterns.  Those who get admitted to a rehab or an Ayurvedic clinic fortuitously be served a regulated diet for proper resuscitation. But there are a large number of unfortunate people who are caught in the vortex of drinking or continue to suffer from relapses.  They should begin the day with several glasses of warm lime water laced with honey and not with a cup of coffee/tea. It goes without saying ,  SAY   a firm NO to drink. Lime water with honey assists in detoxifying the system with its inherent alkaline properties. Eating of fresh fruits for breakfast and not leftovers of the night before helps in digestion. It is guaranteed that most alcoholics suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and associated disorders.   The fruit should be partaken as an entire meal and should not merely be a supplement.   Tamasik and Rajasic intake of food invariably triggers the desire to consume alcohol.

 However, consumption of Sattvik food will certainly enable one to rectify the imbalances present in the body. There is a tremendous weakening of the immune system of the body of an alcoholic as precious minerals and vitamins are drained out.  The resistance levels need to be enhanced through proper intake of nutritious food. The propensity of an alcoholic falling prey to opportunistic ailments is high.  This medical problem can be addressed only by a qualified medical practitioner. And what about the mental problem? Louise L Hay, in ' You Can Heal Your Life', has identified the probable cause of alcoholism as  negative thought processes, such as - ' What's the use ?' Feeling of futility, guilt, inadequacy, and self-rejection. And according to her, the renewed thought pattern should be - I live in now. Each moment is new. I  choose to see my self-worth. I  love and approve of myself.