Drug Addiction and Detoxification: Ayurvedic Detoxification and Modern Addiction Medicine

Drug addiction has emerged as one of the most complex public health challenges of the twenty-first century. Despite remarkable advances in neurobiology, psychiatry and pharmacotherapy, relapse rates remain high and long-term recovery often remains uncertain. Modern addiction medicine primarily focuses on symptom control, behavioural rehabilitation and pharmacological substitution, while the deeper physical, psychological and existential dimensions of dependency frequently remain insufficiently addressed. Ayurveda, particularly the branch of Agada Tantra, offers a broader toxicological perspective that may contribute meaningfully to addiction management and detoxification.