Buddhism and Addiction

Recently, people have been learning about Buddhism and adopting its teachings to help them with substance abuse disorders. This resource will help you if you’re looking for a substance abuse treatment center and want to know more about Buddhism’s approach to addictions.

 

Fundamentally, Buddhism’s approach to addiction may benefit those in recovery. The Four Noble Truths are the best known and oldest formulations of Buddhist doctrine regarding addiction.

 

The Four Noble Truths

 

Dukkha

According to the First Noble Truth, life is dukkha. In other words, it encompasses suffering but also includes pain, dissatisfaction, or imperfection. We learn from this First Truth that this suffering relates to physical and mental pain. 

 

From an addiction standpoint, this would include the pain and discomfort caused by withdrawal from certain drugs. Dukkha is critical to recovery and helps addicts realize that suffering is a normal part of the natural process. 

 

Samudaya

The Second Noble Truth, Samudaya, teaches us that attachment causes pain. It also includes the need to stay away from hurtful emotions like fear, anger, and jealousy. 

 

Addicts turn to substance abuse because of an inability to accept reality. They constantly seek ways to blunt their pain and avoid painful emotions using drugs or other activities. It may work for a while, but the pain lingers in the end.

 

Nirodha

The Third Noble Truth, Nirodha, is the cessation of suffering. Synonymous with Nirvana, Nirodha teaches us that all pain comes to an end. However, we will experience many different levels of freedom on our path.

 

Magga

 

The Fourth Noble Truth, Magga, is the first limb of the Eightfold Path and is concerned with understanding the doctrinal framework. Magga teaches us that the Eightfold Path leads to an end to suffering.

 

The Eightfold Path

 

Buddha teaches us that the Eightfold Path refers to a middle road on the journey between self-discipline and overindulgence towards realizing Nirvana.

 

Perspective

 

The first line of the book, “The Road Less Traveled," is, “Life is difficult.” The following line claims that this is “one of the greatest truths.” The book further states that “once we truly see this truth, we transcend it."

 

This truth directly relates to the first noble truth and informs us that life isn’t easy and can sometimes be painful. However, addicts who acknowledge this truth can transcend their difficult life because it no longer exists. 

 

The Right View or Right Understanding

 

The first aspect of the eightfold path is called the right view or the right understanding. It is the eye of the path. It is the guide dog for the blind.

 

The Right Thought

 

Addicts harbor deep resentment against various past issues, and angry feelings can be strong enough to cause a relapse. Relying on the step process and other self-help techniques will help, but recovery can also include kind and loving meditation to overcome angry feelings.

 

The Right Words. Speaking Truth.

 

Relying on other recovering addicts is vital to one’s recovery. Those who want to live a Buddhist style of living should refrain from lying and gossiping about their family, friends, or peers.

 

Learning to speak without deceiving is vital and can benefit those beginning recovery. They have spent a lifetime lying about their true identities. On the road to recovery, addicts reveal themselves and honestly talk about who they are and how they genuinely feel about past situations.

 

The Right Conduct.

 

Actions speak louder than words. Pennsylvania isn’t an easy place to live after treatment. Traipsing through the city, agonizing over unreachable desires, can be difficult. These desires tend to dissipate once we accept our realities.

 

The Right Occupations.

 

Addicts tend to gravitate towards hazardous work. When they are abusing, they often make a living off selling drugs or stealing. This way of living causes harm to the addict as well as others, but the addict ends up suffering the consequences.

 

Recovering addicts can alleviate karma that is negative by working in harmless professions. In fact, many choose to support others in their recovery by opting to work in treatment centers or other facets of the recovery world.

 

The Right Intentions.

 

By removing negative thoughts and promoting positive ones, addicts can focus on the positive elements in their life. By triggering positive thoughts, addicts can avoid a relapse. Thinking positively and being thankful is another way to refocus the negative parts of your brain. As a matter of fact, listing those things we are grateful for can be a positively uplifting experience.

 

The Right Mindset.

 

Those in the early part of their recovery who just finished rehabilitation at a Pennsylvania treatment center sometimes struggle with their actions, feelings, emotions, and negative thoughts. 

 

They defensively become numb for long periods of time, finding it hard to perform different types of tasks. Past traumatic experiences ignite the numbness because survivors tend to dissociate themselves from the situation.

 

Nevertheless, addicts use behaviors and other substances temporarily blocking their feelings, thoughts, and emotions. They typically have difficulty managing these traits until they learn the skills to be comfortable in their own skin.

 

In Conclusion

 

Following Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path can be additional tools to use in the battle against addiction and addictive behavior.

 

Meditating can help those recovering avoid sad and anxious emotions by refocusing their brain and working towards an addictive-free life.