Self-Recovery: Treating Addictions Using Transcendental Meditation and Maharishi Ayur-Veda

"Charles Alexander's book, Self Recovery is particulary helpful because it includes many different experiences with recovering from drug abuse. In some, the recovery is simple and immediate with beginning the regular practice of TM. He also gives examples of more difficult cases where recovery is interrupted and regained several times before self recovery is achieved. The study imvolving alcoholics living on the street was especially important as it showed that by adding a stress management strategy to a traditional treatment program, some actual progress was made where progress is not usually seen.

That there is a stress management technique effective enough to break the grip of drug addiction is exciting. That it is sometimes challenging to keep people on the program is realistic. That it is sometimes incredibly easy and immediate is corroberated in the prioneering work on TM that Dr. Herbert Benson and Dr. Keith Wallace did at Harvard in the early 70's. It is described in Benson's book, The Relaxation Response.

Dr. Alexander's book is timely. The only real way to win the war on drugs is to reduce the demand for drugs. TM is a useful tool in establing self sufficiency, clear thinking and success in life."
~ Written on 2000-11-13