Patanjali's five kleshas (mental afflictions) map directly onto addiction psychology, explaining the emotional-cognitive mechanisms perpetuating substance dependence.
The Yoga Sutras identify five kleshas—avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of annihilation)—as the root causes of all psychological suffering. In addiction, these operate synergistically: avidya creates false beliefs about substance benefits; asmita inflates ego identification with the addicted self; raga generates obsessive craving and attachment to the substance; dvesha manifests as avoidance of withdrawal discomfort and difficult emotions; abhinivesha appears as existential fear driving escapism. Understanding addiction through the klesha framework reveals why willpower alone fails—addressing one klesha while ignoring others perpetuates the cycle. Effective treatment must simultaneously work on all five dimensions: developing true knowledge about addiction's nature, deconstructing ego investment in addicted identity, examining attachment patterns, processing the aversion to discomfort, and addressing existential anxiety. This integrated psychological model explains why isolated interventions (medication alone, behavioral intervention alone) often fail, and supports comprehensive treatment addressing philosophical, emotional, cognitive, and existential dimensions of addiction.
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