Yoga and meditation are activities of the body and mind. Hence, being a cerebral action and reaction, as well, in this context [although should not be taken as the accurate perception], it may be assumed that yoga and meditation serve as alternatives to drug use, which can help the practitioners, who are erstwhile or currently addicted to certain substance, curb their drug dependency, one way or another.

Yoga and meditation, thus, are non-drug means of transforming an individual’s state of mind.

By altering one’s state of mind through this meditative process, one may, otherwise, feel exactly the same as those who are under the influence of addictive substance.

Yoga and meditation can offer deep mind relaxation, which necessarily alter its condition at that particular state, hence, relaxing the thought process.

According to drug dependents, when they are under its influence, they feel relaxed, although in a more hallucinatory or psychedelic level. The state of mind is also altered in this sense.

“Pleasure is an obvious part of drug use and the short-term physical benefits^[1]Why do people use alcohol and other drugs? are well known. Drugs can produce a “high”, give people energy, make them feel good, reduce stress and aid sleep.”^[2]Jennifer Power, Drug use can have social benefits, and acknowledging this could improve rehabilitation

Implying Addiction

Nevertheless, by propounding this query, it tacitly means that the subject is suffering from addiction to certain substance. Consequently, any form of helpful intervention or intercession is, undoubtedly, required as of the moment.

Conversely, it may happen that the addiction, really, may not be on the drug itself. Rather, the individual has that heightened dependency to put himself in a state of so much ecstasy or in an intense spiritual experiences. Obviously, the same may still be regarded as an addiction, thus, negating the purpose of mindfulness and meditation.

People’s Temporary Solution for Depression and Anxiety | However

Individuals turn onto drugs or other addictive substances to get away from depression and anxiety. They want to immediately get rid of the symptoms of such abasement and misery.

Nonetheless, yoga and meditation may be utilized for similar purpose and objective. Meditation through yoga, as we know it, may calm the mind. Hence, it may have an anti-depressant effect.

Yoga and meditation, therefore, can reduce physical and emotional stress. Both can help improve one’s sleep, thereby, giving you a relaxing doze.

Should not be the Accurate Perception | On the Contrary

Yoga and meditation, alternatives to any addiction? Being precise? May be not, more so to any drug use, abuse, or addiction.

It is more accurate to state that Yoga, the process and discipline themselves, will and shall not be an alternative or other options for any kind of addiction for that matter.

On the contrary, yoga and meditation will bring change in you, your outlook, your physique, your mind, and, more importantly, your lifestyle, health, and well-being.

In fact, aside from changing your life’s perspective, yoga and meditation can be a conjoint therapy, with other medical methods, for drug addiction or in connection with the person’s rehabilitation.

When you practice yoga, consistently, constantly, and religiously, everything may turn out positive and sacred.

As a consequence, you will now have the courage and conviction, maybe even the mental prowess, to throw away any substance addiction, which will only give you temporary pleasure, yet, damaging your mind and body, as a result.

Purpose of Meditation | The Perspective

The meditation’s objective should be to assist a person leave behind the feeling of trying to “withdraw, depart, and probably escape life” or the need to indispensably do that with help of, or by using, drugs or other types of potentially addictive substance and/or by engaging in imaginably destructive demeanors.

The practice of meditation, in yoga discipline, must be the vehicle for an individual to seek tranquility and peace of mind, in the current state of the moment without disturbance.

Being Indulged in Yoga | Practicing Meditation

When already indulged in yoga, your may experience a blissful life. Nature will be your joy. Now, yoga will not be your alternative but rather your principal devotion to its practice and discipline, be it mental or physical activity.

Yoga will work for you and for your body and mind. In a more figurative sense, you will have that breath of life.

Your unhampered devotion to yoga will also result to atmospheric and environmental changes in you.

Meditation will, otherwise, connect you with your true self, thus, making you see how to overcome your despair, uneasiness, vulnerability, and unhealthy dependence on something.

Thinking of Meditation through Yoga as an Alternative | Why not think of it as a solution for drug dependency

The question in this post may somehow be ambivalent. It is for this purpose that we try to put a reflective insight on the matter.

Several scientific studies have been undertaken to establish correlation between yoga and substance dependency.

It is in this objective that those studies are aimed in finding out how yoga can be an effective tool to manage, prevent, or possibly cure substance abuse, or how yoga can be an adjunct therapy in those experiments.

In these researches,^[3]Role of Yoga in Management of Substance-use Disorders: A Narrative Review it has been found out that Yoga can have a good role in effectively managing substance disorder of a certain person.

While results are relative with respect to the kind of substance involve in terms of significant correlations, still, the common denominator is that the practice of yoga can be an adjunct therapy.

In another workshop,^[4]Scientific Research on Yoga for Substance Abuse and Addictions it outlined Yoga as a holistic approach, through the practices of postures, breathing, relaxation, and meditation.

In the aspect meditation, the workshop went on to discuss that meditation will promote spirituality, thereby, discovering unitive state, transcendence, flow, transformation, and life’s meaning and purpose.

Ajna | The Sixth Chakra

Since we deal with yoga and meditation, knowing, as well, the chakras or wheels of life will provide additional insights.

In exploring chakra, when it comes to yoga and meditation, you should be mindful of the sixth chakra. Chakras are the wheels of life.

To experience the full meditation potential, thus, curbing mind’s unwanted thoughts, you should also concentrate on placing the energy to sixth chakra [Ajna].^[5]Ajna, Wikipedia This is where the where pineal gland^[6]Pineal Gland, Wikipedia is situated.

When engaged in that level of meditation, the gland releases serotonin^[7]What is Serotonin? and endorphins^[8]Why Do We Need Endorphins? in humungous level that even the usual dosage of addictive drugs cannot rival with them.

It is not, however, hallucinatory or kaleidoscopic. On the other hand, you will enter the image of energy dimension, not a psychedelic experience because of drugs.

When you achieve such level, addictive substance will appear childish, and no more in comparison, and without that chemicals polluting and harming the body and brain.

You may feel extremely high and tranquil, simultaneously, hence, attaining utopic experience. This is not attainable with drugs alone. Moreover, the effects of the latter are temporary, and these chemicals are also harmful to the body.

Final Thoughts | Contrasting Perspective

We may come to conclusion, however, that the thought of drugs making or helping one feel extremely high and ecstatic is, borderline, a sheer mindset. It is a conscious attribution to something that one wants to happen or experience.

Perforce, other people will think that that drugs resulted to individuals becoming worse species, or these substance convert them into something horrific.

On the other side, those who are addicted to drugs will confirm that they are amazing. These drugs will be, according to them, make them special.

This exchange and discourse can continue from both angles, until our population have had enough of them and have outlived the notion behind such situation.

What is important, nevertheless, is to medically, philosophically, and therapeutically [yoga included] face the drug dependency problem head-on.

Although the intention to do away with substance addiction is apparent, thinking yoga and meditation only as alternatives to drug use will put one’s mindset in a volatile position in terms of dealing with the fixation issues.

While this is a matter of perspective, it is humbly suggested that, placing the intended solution as the primary anchor rather than as an alternative position, will be more likely to produce a proper balance between how one deals with drug obsession issues in the first place and the conviction to achieve the desired solution.