Buddhism and Addictions

Buddhist doctrines deal in detail with craving and attachment, how they arise, the forms they take, their results, and also how they can be managed. This and Buddhist emphasis on impermanence makes these doctrines pertinent to theories of the causation and mechanisms of addictions and to possible therapies. Certain Buddhist teachings relevant to addictions are presented within the context of the Four Noble Truths and similarities are drawn to contemporary approaches. As well as being helpful for treating Buddhist clients such a framework may provide a spiritual but non-theistic alternative for those who reject the theism implicit in the twelve-step philosophy. Directions for research include exploring changing ethical behaviour and the use of meditation both as an adjunct to orthodox treatment and as a means of self-change within this framework.