Perception of clients and staff on Indian traditional and spiritual practices in de-addiction centres in Delhi: A qualitative study
Akshay ., N Ramya
International Journal of Applied Research October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.22271/allresearch.2026.v12.i10b.14209 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | 10 clients receiving treatment for alcohol dependence and 5 treatment staff members in Delhi, India |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Key findings | Participants generally viewed traditional and spiritual practices as useful additions to alcohol recovery programmes, with yoga seen mainly as improving physical well-being and meditation as calming the mind and improving emotional control. The authors argue these practices should be introduced voluntarily and transparently with clear guidance and psychoeducation, and that family support and continued care after discharge may help clients maintain them. |
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern in India. Many people in India also use traditional and spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, prayer, and religious rituals. However, little is known about how these practices are viewed within formal de-addiction settings.
Objective: This study explored how clients and treatment staff in Delhi perceive the use of traditional and spiritual practices in alcohol de-addiction treatment.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 participants. The sample included 10 clients receiving treatment for alcohol dependence and five treatment staff members. Interviews were conducted in Hindi or English. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach to thematic analysis.
Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) perceptions of traditional practices, (2) facilitators of recovery practices, (3) barriers to traditional and spiritual practices, and (4) patterns in staff perceptions. Yoga was mainly viewed as a way to improve physical well-being. Meditation was seen as a way to calm the mind and improve emotional control. Participants often distinguished spirituality from formal religious rituals. Important facilitators included structured rehabilitation routines, family support, and peer mentorship. Important barriers included stigma, limited understanding of the practices, difficulty maintaining routines after leaving rehabilitation, and negative past experiences with Ayurvedic remedies.
Conclusion: Traditional and spiritual practices were generally viewed as useful additions to alcohol recovery programmes. However, they should be introduced with clear guidance and psychoeducation. Family support and continued care after discharge may also help clients maintain these practices. Traditional approaches should be voluntary, transparent, and adapted to the needs and beliefs of each client.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| Therapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use in the Treatment of Substance Dependence—Qualitative Results Therapists, expert researchers, and individuals who underwent ayahuasca-assisted... | 2014 | Qualitative study | n = 29 |
| Exploring ayahuasca‐assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada Indigenous adults in Canada who participated in ayahuasca-assisted ceremonial retreats | 2019 | Qualitative study | n = 11 |
| Self-reported negative outcomes of psilocybin users: A quantitative textual analysis Users who self-reported psilocybin experiences on an online platform | 2020 | Qualitative study | n = 346 |
| Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. non-Hispanic White cisgender men and women with alcohol use disorder | 2023 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |