Acharya Prashant explains that the urge to consume drugs or alcohol does not stem from a state of fulfillment or joy, but from a point of inner emptiness, pressure, and loneliness. When an individual is not okay with themselves and lacks the insight to find a way out, they seek to escape their consciousness through intoxication. He compares this to closing a book because one cannot solve the problem written inside. Instead of honestly facing the inner entanglement, the individual chooses to shut down their awareness, which he describes as a lack of courage and tenacity. He emphasizes that substance abuse is not primarily a moral, ethical, or even a physiological issue, but one of efficacy and human dignity. Drinking or using drugs is an ineffective answer to real problems because the situation remains unchanged the next morning, often leaving the person with a hangover and a sense of cowardice. He argues that while one might survive physically, living a life defined by running away from oneself is not worth it. The real problem is not the potential loss of years of life, but the years lived in fear and avoidance. Acharya Prashant encourages facing inner challenges—such as fear, gloom, or heartbreak—directly. He states that while outward problems require understanding followed by action, inward problems are solved through the very act of seeing and understanding them. He urges students to maintain their dignity by choosing to be attentive and composed rather than scattering themselves through substances. The goal is to look the 'inner one' in the eye and resolve the conflict through insight rather than seeking a temporary and superficial respite.
