Raga and Dvesha: Attraction and Aversion in Craving

Raga (attraction/attachment) and dvesha (aversion/repulsion) are fundamental patterns Patanjali identifies as driving human suffering. In addiction, these are intertwined: raga as the intense attraction to the substance that creates craving, and dvesha as the aversion to withdrawal discomfort, negative consequences, or difficult emotions that drives continued use. The addicted mind becomes stuck between these poles—compulsively drawn toward the substance for relief while simultaneously driven by aversion away from pain, boredom, or emotional distress. This creates a neurological and psychological trap: using becomes the only seemingly viable escape. Patanjali teaches that freedom requires neither suppressing these attractions and aversions nor indulging them, but recognizing them as mental patterns without inherent truth. Addiction hijacks raga's natural drive and redirects it toward destructive objects; recovery involves gradually retraining raga toward genuine sources of wellbeing—relationships, meaning, spiritual practice—while developing the mental strength to face dvesha without reactivity. Understanding addiction through raga-dvesha provides clarity that recovery isn't about eliminating desire (raga) but redirecting it, and building capacity to tolerate discomfort without reactive escape.