Alcoholism: Risks, Effects, and Perspectives

2. DIPLOMA Ayurvedic Practitioners CourseModule 730th& 31st March 2019

3. Madathya(Alcoholism) & Unmadha (Mental disorder)

4. Madathya (alcoholism)

5. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective A unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure alcohol: • half a pint of lager • a single measure (25ml) of spirits • small glass (125ml) of wine = 1.5 units

6. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective NHS recommends: • No more than 14 units of alcohol a week • Spread evenly over three or more days • Have several alcohol-free days each week

7. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective Short-term risks of alcohol misuse: • accidents and injuries • violent behaviour / victim of violence • unprotected sex, unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) • loss of personal possessions, such as wallets, keys or mobile phones • alcohol poisoning – this may lead to vomiting, seizures (fits) and falling unconscious

8. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective Long-term risks of alcohol misuse • heart disease / high blood pressure / stroke • liver disease • cancer of the liver, bowel, mouth, head and neck, breast • pancreatitis • Depression • Dementia • sexual problems, such as impotence or premature ejaculation    • infertility  • social problems eg. unemployment, divorce, domestic abuse and homelessness

9. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective Dependent drinking / alcoholism: • Loss of control over drinking • Excessive desire to drink • Can tolerate very high levels of alcohol • Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms including: • hand tremors – "the shakes" • sweating • visualhallucinations • depression • anxiety • insomnia • relief drinking" to avoid withdrawal symptoms

10. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective Short-term effects of alcohol consumption • 1-2 units • heart rate speeds up • blood vessels expand, giving you the warm, sociable and talkative feeling • 4-6 units • brain and nervous system starts to be affected – the part associated with judgement and decision making • more reckless and uninhibited behaviour • impairs the cells in your nervous system - light-headed and affecting reaction time and co-ordination • 8-9 units • reaction times will be much slower • speech will begin to slur • vision will begin to lose focus • Liver unable to remove all of the alcohol overnightleading to hangover

11. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective • 10-12 units • co-ordination will be highly impaired • depressant effect on both your mind and body • drowsy • reaching toxic (poisonous) levels • body attempts to quickly pass out the alcohol in your urine, leading to dehydration / headache • upset digestion, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and indigestion. • More than 12 units • considerable risk of alcohol poisoning • liver takes about an hour to remove one unit of alcohol from the body • Alcohol poisoning occurs when alcohol start to interfere with the body's automatic functions, such as: • breathing • heart rate • gag reflex, which prevents you choking • can cause coma and could lead to death

12. Madathya (alcoholism)The Allopathic perspective Treatment • brief intervention • moderation vs abstinence • detox and withdrawal symptoms • medication for alcohol dependency • therapy for alcohol dependency

13. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedicperspective Stages of alcohol consumption: • Panatya (excessive) • Paramadha (hangover) • Panajeerna (adverse effect) • Panavibhram (loss of consciousness)

14. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Why do people drink alcohol? • Malnourished physical and mental capability • Lack of contentment

15. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Nidhana– emotional issues • Sadness • Happiness (alcohol is consumed to gain more happiness) • Anxiety • Anger • Frustration • Loss / gain • Guilt • Strength • Silly / mad • Celebrate love (alcohol is consumed to enhance the feeling of love) Alcohol is consumed to let go of negative feelings and to enhance positive feelings

16. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Alcohol has 10 gunas in common with poison and the opposite of ojas:

17. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Effect of alcohol on dosha: • Vata • Pitta  • Kapha This is the only substance capable of aggravating all 3 doshas simultaneously In the beginning there is immediate feeling of upift

18. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective How each dosha’sguna aggravate its own dosha: Eg. vata–guna • Light / penetrating / chala/ rough/ subtle • Pitta – hot, sharp, light • Kapha–sara (liquid) • Vata and pitta quality increases the akashabhuta in kapha, loosening bond between earth and water elements. Hence kapha is aggravated

19. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective • Aggravation of kapha: • Increases the tamasic quality • As a result body feels heavy

20. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective What each dosha is seeking in consuming alcohol: • Vata -  - seeking virya (strength / courage) • Pitta -  - seeking shakti (control / energy / power) • Kapha - seeking soma (love / connection)

21. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Why is alcohol considered to be bad? • Alcohol can create heaven and hell • CharakaSamhita says: • God’s gift to humans is to feel a glimpse of heaven in these ways: • Alcohol – nectar or ambrosia • Orgasm – mythyna • There is co-dependency between alcohol and sex

22. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective How different constitutions feel after a few glasses: • Vata– feeling mentally like flying • Pitta – feeling in control or power • Kapha– heaviness

23. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Samprapti • Alcohol has the equal and opposite quality of ojas • Hence alcohol immediately stimulates the ojas

24. OJAS Alcohol PRANA HEART + 10 vessels BUDDHI (consciousness) Rasa Dhatu (Preenana / Satisfaction) Stimulate Life Stimulate Wisdom & creativity RaktaDhatu Jeevan (Life)

25. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Signs & symptoms of first stage –panathya (feeling of heaven) • Happiness • Satisfaction • Enhances taste of food • Enhances enjoyment of music and arts • Encourages wisdom and intellect • Discipline of 5 sense organs • Induces good sleep • Awaken refreshed

26. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Signs / symptoms of the second stage - madyamadha(feeling merry) • The stimulated ojas begins to lose its strength • The toxic qualities of alcohol begin to appear with below qualities: • Intoxication • Loss of intelligence • Loss of memory • Loss of speech • Behaviour beginning to change • Restlessness • Talking nonsense • Lunatic behaviour • Induces sleep / laziness and feeling floppy Many people stop at this stage, feeling ok still and relaxed

27. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Signs / symptoms of the third and fourth stages • Third stage • pitta induced and rajas guna is provoked • Agitation • Anger • Tendency towards arguments or fights • Fourth stage • Loss of ability to stand • Loss of ability to hold conversation

28. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Panatya – chronic alcoholism When a person is chronically addicted to alcohol some symptoms remain apparent whether they are consuming alcohol or not at a particular time. Vata • Hiccups • Dyspnea • Tremors of the head • Shakiness • Pain • Insomnia • Severe delirium • Illusions • Anxiety

29. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Pitta • Thirst • Burning sensation • Feeling extremely hot • Fever • Sweating • Fainting • Diarrhoea • Vertigo • Red / greenish colour of the body • Red eyes • Anger • Frustration

30. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Kapha • Vomiting • Anorexia (loss of appetite) • Nausea • Drowsiness • Sensation of body covered with a wet cloth • Depression

31. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Poor prognosis When a person displays the signs and symptoms below, the prognosis is poor and the disorder is difficult to cure • Drooping upper lip • Body has become very cold • Facial skin has oily / radiant / red colouring • Tongue, lips and teeth are blackened • Eyes are yellow

32. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Complications of alcoholism • Fever • Hiccups • Trembling • Pain and cough • Congestion • Cirrhosis • Chest pain

33. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Advantages of alcohol • Considered to be rejuvenating and detoxifying • If alcohol is consumed according to the individual constitution, in the correct dose, with the correct food and in the correct company it can have a positive effect on the body

34. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Chikitsa • Alcohol aggravates tri-dosha • How a person feels after drinking - related to constitution • As treatment - use the opposite type of alcohol to their preference: • For example - • kaphaperson likes whisky or beer • This aggravates kapha (earth or water quality) • Treat with wine over a period of time • aggravates pitta and counteracts the dosha • kaphaperson is uncomfortable with feeling aggravated pitta • eventually gives up alcohol as the dosha is becoming balanced

35. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Detoxifying & Rejuvenative Treatment Medicated wine • Ashwagandhaarishta • Balaarishta • Arjunaarishta Modaka • Formulated cannabis supplement • Madanamodaka Medicated ghee • Saraswatagrita • Phalagrita • Brahmigrita Agni deepana • Hinguwashtaka • Paakachoorna

36. Madathya (alcoholism)The Ayurvedic perspective Vamana • Maduka decoction (liquorice) • Rock salt with honey • Madanapala water (emetic nut) Virechana • Cumin cube / dhatri • Oil enema Rejuvanative • Chayawanaprash • Kushmandaavaleha • Brahmigrita

37. Unmadha (mental disorder)

38. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) It is a behavioural disorder Symptoms: • inattentiveness • hyperactivity • impulsiveness • noticed at an early age • most cases are diagnosed when children are 6 to 12 years old • usually improve with age • additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders

39. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Causes of ADHD: The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, Potential causes: • condition has been shown to run in families • possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD • being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) • having a low birthweight • smoking, or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy • more common in people with learning difficulties

40. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Treatment for ADHD: • no cure for ADHD • managed with appropriate educational support, advice • alongside medication, if necessary • medication is often offered to adults with ADHD & cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 

41. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective  5 types of medication for the treatment of ADHD: • methylphenidate  • dexamfetamine • lisdexamfetamine • atomoxetine • Guanfacine Some of these medications are stimulants which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that control attention and behaviour

42. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective AUTISM • lifelong condition • affects how people communicate and interact with others • affects people in different ways • most autistic people see, hear and experience the world differently • autistic people may be given a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or Asperger syndrome • Estimated about 1 in every 100 people in the UK is autistic • More boys and men are diagnosed with autism than girls and women • Now thought older girls and women may manage the condition differently and are therefore underdiagnosed

43. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Signs and characteristics of autism: Signs and characteristics vary widely 2 common characteristics: • difficulties with social communication and interaction • repetitive behaviour, routines and activities • under - or oversensitive to certain sounds, lights, colours and other things, known as sensory sensitivity

44. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Health problems and conditions are more common in autistic people: • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • learning disabilities • epilepsy • dyspraxia • obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) • anxiety • depression

45. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Causes of autism: • exact cause of autism is unknown • several complex genetic and environmental factors • MMR vaccine - investigated extensively in a number of major studies around the world, involving millions of children, and researchers have found no evidence of a link between MMR and autism.

46. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Genes • genetic predisposition. • younger siblings of autistic children can also be autistic • common for identical twins to both be autistic.

47. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Dementia • syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning • Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the vast majority of cases

48. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective How common is dementia? • 850,000 people in the UK with dementia • One in 14 people over 65 will develop dementia, and the condition affects 1 in 6 people over 80 • increasing because people are living longer • by 2025 - around 1 million people

49. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective Symptoms of dementia: • memory loss • thinking speed • mental sharpness and quickness  • language • understanding • judgement • mood  • movement • difficulties carrying out daily activities

50. Unmadha (mental disorder)The Allopathic perspective People with dementia can: • become apathetic or uninterested • have problems controlling their emotions • find social situations challenging • lose interest in socialising • change aspects of their personality • lose empathy • hallucinations • lose memory or not understand their environment (it can seem as if they're not telling the truth, or are wilfully ignoring problems)