Background: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) is marked by anxiety, tremors, insomnia, and cravings during alcohol cessation. Conventional treatment may cause dependence and cognitive side effects.
Case Presentation: A 38-year-old male with a 7-year history of heavy daily alcohol consumption presented to the outpatient department voluntarily seeking to quit. Within 24 hours of his last drink, he developed acute withdrawal symptoms, including moderate hand tremors, severe anxiety, diaphoresis, and insomnia (CIWA-Ar score of 14).
Intervention: An integrative ambulatory protocol combining Ayurvedic therapies—Shirodhara with Chandana Bala Lakshadi Taila, Brahmi Vati, and Jatamansi Phanta—with Yoga practices including Pranayama and Yoga Nidra was administered.
Outcomes: The severity of withdrawal was monitored daily for the first week using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) scale. The patient's score decreased from 14 (moderate withdrawal) on Day 1 to 3 (minimal) by Day 5. Sleep architecture improved significantly, and cravings were reported as manageable. Complete abstinence was maintained at the 30-day follow-up.
Conclusion: Ayurveda and Yoga may provide a safe and effective non-pharmacological approach for managing mild-to-moderate AWS and reducing reliance on sedative medications.