As per the Ayurvedic texts the disease caused by the abuse of Madya (alcohol) is called as Madatyaya (alcoholism) and its clinical symptoms are similar to Alcoholism.

Madatyaya is Tridoshaj vyadhi having Vataj, Piitaj, Kaphaj and Sannipataj types. The treatment of madatyaya shall begin with the site of kapha, as it is predominantly situated , lined by pitta and vata.

Alcohol dependence is a disorder of regulation of alcohol use, arising from repeated or continuous use of alcohol. The   characteristic feature is a strong internal drive to use alcohol, which is manifested by impaired ability to control use, increasing priority given to the use over other activities and persistence of use despite harm or negative consequences.

People with alcohol dependence are at increased risk of liver cirrhosis, pancreatic disease, and accidents.

In 2016, 3 million deaths or 5.3 percent of all global deaths (7.7 percent for men and 2.6 percent for women), were attributable to alcohol consumption.

Of all Alcohol-related deaths Worldwide in 2016, injuries accounted for 28.7% of fatalities, followed by digestive illnesses (21.3%), cardiovascular diseases (19%), infectious diseases (12.9%), and malignancies (12.6%). About 49% of alcohol attributable DALYs are due to non-communicable and mental health conditions.

Alcohol dependence is a major problem in India. An estimated 34–42% of the adult Indian population reports having used alcohol in their lifetime; 5–7% have been estimated to use alcohol, and 10–20 million people have been estimated to be in need of treatment for alcohol dependence.

Roughly 14.6% of the population, in the country (aged 10 to 75), are current drinkers.  About 5.2% of the population, are thought to be impacted by hazardous or dependent alcohol usage. In India, every third alcoholic requires assistance for alcohol-related issues.

 According to the National Mental Health Survey of India 2015–16, 9% of adult men have AUDs. Alcohol was determined to be responsible for 5.4% of all cause deaths in India. Alcohol usage was to blame for about 62.9% of all liver cirrhosis-related deaths.

Problems related to alcohol consumption made up to 17.6% of psychiatric emergencies in an Indian general hospital.

The classic text of Ayurved quotes a similar Vyadhi, Madatyaya with its types, symptoms and treatment. Excessive consumption of Madya directly affects ‘Hriday’ which is one of the vital organs of the body and it is predominantly associated with the Rasavaha and Manovaha Srotas.

Conventional management of AUD includes Psychotherapy to Pharmacological intervention which includes antidote preparation, anti-epileptic drugs, neurotransmitter inhibitors, neuro protectors etc.

However there are numerous contraindications of the drugs  like Liver and Renal disease, Polyneuropathy etc. that makes those drugs irrational and ideal effective drug for all types of alcoholic patients does not exist, the future challenge will consist in tailoring personalized treatments.

Ayurvedic drugs has demonstrated protective effect on alcohol dependence and withdrawal anxiety in previous experimental studies and their action on liver is well established as hepato protective, antioxidants in alcohol induced stress.

There are many Shamana Oushadis in Ayurveda, Drakshadi Kashaya is one among them. It has the property of Tridoshahara, Deepana, Pachana, Rasayana, Seetaveerya pradhana, Balya, Medhya, Hrudyabalaprada, Yakritduttejaka, Chardi nigrahana and trishna nigrahana.

Drakshadi Kashaya has been told useful in Murcha(Fanting), Bhrama(Giddiness) like Manas Vikara(Psychological) in which Hrudya is affected and in Madatyaya(Alcoholism), Kamala(Jaundice) in which Liver is primarily affected, also in Alcohol users Liver got affected and is psychological too. So this is an effort taken to study the clinical effect of Drakshadi Kashaya as Medhya(Nootrophic), Hrudyabalaprada, Rasayana(Rejuvinating effect) and Yakritduttejaka(Hipatoprotective) in Madatyaya(Alcohol Dependence).

Hence, current study has been planned to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurveda treatment protocol which has integrative approach including Satwavajaya chikitsa, pathya-apathya and Yoga Protocol in the management of madatyaya (Alcohol dependence).