NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 17, 2015 (Daily Pioneer): Yoga can help improve the quality of life of drug users and also reduce the frequency of their drug use, says a recent study conducted by the Delhi-based AIIMS on behalf of the government’s Ayush Ministry. The study used Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) and meditation as a treatment along with the regular treatment among a group of drug addicts including heroin users. SKY consists of a specific sequence of varying breathing rates separated by brief periods of normal breathing.
Eighty-four heroin users undergoing treatment at a community-based clinic of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) in east Delhi participated in the study, which concluded at AIIMS here. The study — which was a randomized one with control groups — showed that yoga intervention produced a significant change in the physical, social relationship and environmental domains of quality of life, said a statement from the Ministry. It also reduced the frequency of drug use as compared to the control group that was on treatment as usual.