Management of Smack/Opium Addiction through Ayurveda Intervention : A Case Series

Abstract

Opium and its derivative addiction are rampant in western Rajasthan, because it is easily available. Opioids, which include heroin (or its impure form, smack or brown sugar), a range of medicinal opioids, are used by about 2.1% of the population in India. Opium was first described by Acharya Bhavprakasha, Properties are Tikta and Kashay Rasa, Laghu, Ruksha, Sukshma, Vyavayi, Vikasi, Vedanasthapana, Nindrajanana, Shothahara and Aakshepahara. The opium-derived addictions withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chills, body ache, sleeplessness and flu-like symptoms begin, these symptoms can grow severe enough to necessitate emergency medical attention, and in extreme situations, they might have life-threatening consequences for the users a result of respiration depression, and pupil dilation in the later stages. Diagnosis: The assessment was based on Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (cows) before and after the treatment. Intervention: Effect have been applied to depict 5 cases of opium addiction in form of series who have been treated with Sameergaja Kerari Rasa in the tapering method (Padanshika Krama) starting with the dose of 375 mg along with Vishatinduka Vati dose of 125 mg twice a day along with Panchakarma procedures, Abhayanga, Swedana and Shirodhara for a period of 1 month. Result: Reduction in cows scale was observed, about 75-80% of symptoms subsided in all cases and the results have been reported very encouraging within a period of twenty to thirty days. Conclusion: Ayurveda treatment can be an effective and safe solution for opium/smack addictions.