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Often, when we see someone drinking alcohol, we immediately call him ‘an alcoholic’, as if his entire identity is determined by just this one thing. But have you ever wondered why a person reaches that path? On this, famous thinker Acharya Prashant has said that alcohol addiction is not just a bad habit, but a sign of a deep inner deficiency and restlessness.

In fact, there is a search going on inside every human being, for peace, for peace, or for something that can fulfill him from within. When this search does not find the right direction, then the person can turn towards wrong paths, and this is where addiction begins.

Why do people drink alcohol?

Imagine, a person works the whole day, returns home, but still does not get peace. Everything looks fine from outside, but there is an emptiness inside. This emptiness is the real reason, which forces a person to search for something ‘else’. Just like a man is thirsty in the desert, he needs water, but if he does not get clean water, he can also drink dirty water. Similarly, when the mind does not find real peace, a person starts looking for relief in things like alcohol.

What does alcohol do?

After drinking alcohol, the mind feels light for some time. There is less stress, and those things which are usually kept hidden in the heart also come out. Many people say, ‘He speaks the truth after drinking.’ Actually, that truth was already inside, it was just suppressed. But this relief is not real. It simply changes the condition of the mind for some time. Like applying temporary medicine on some pain, which gives relief for some time, but does not eliminate the problem from its root.

Why do some people easily fall into this trap?

Not every person becomes addicted to alcohol. Some people catch it quickly because they are more sensitive from within. They feel life’s problems, lies, pressure and stress more deeply. For example, two people go through the same problem, one ignores it and moves on, while the other takes it to heart. The same second person is more likely to resort to drugs.

Is only alcohol an addiction?

If you look carefully, addiction is not limited to just alcohol or drugs. Some are running after money, some are after name and power, some are excessively entangled in relationships. All these are also a kind of addiction. A business man is busy earning money day and night, he has no peace. This is also an addiction. Someone is living for likes on social media. This is also a kind of dependence. The only difference is that society accepts these drugs as normal.

The solution is to understand the real need

If the root of the problem is understood, the solution also becomes clear. If someone finds true peace, spiritual peace and satisfaction, then he no longer needs external support. For example, if a thirsty person gets clean water, he will never go towards dirty water. Similarly, if a person finds peace from within, then the grip of alcohol or any other drug automatically starts loosening.

Spirituality: the path to real relief

Here ‘spirituality’ does not just mean religious rituals, but rather understanding oneself. It’s about recognizing your mind, your desires and your restlessness. When a person starts understanding himself, gradually his dependence on outside things starts reducing. It is easy to dismiss alcohol addiction as just a bad habit, but real understanding comes when we get to the root of it. There is a story behind every addiction. An incomplete search, an unheard restlessness. If we understand that story, then the way out of addiction automatically becomes visible.