Buddhism in Addiction Recovery

Vanessa Wang,Bryant M Stone

doi:10.3390/encyclopedia2010035

Abstract

Buddhism was established by Guatama Buddha as a practice to liberate sentient beings from suffering. Mindfulness-Based interventions (MBIs) are Western psychologists’ adaptation of mindfulness/Vipassana to treat mental illnesses. In addition to mindfulness, Buddhist recovery peer-support programs also adopt the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts, which are the Buddha’s prescription to cease suffering and to discipline one’s ethical conduct.

Highlights

In contrast to clinical research in Western psychology, Buddhist recovery peer-support programs incorporated the essential teachings of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the
The path to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path, in which mindfulness is a necessary component of practice
Western psychology has taken a tremendous interest in Buddhism in recent decades, focusing on mindfulness

Summary

Introduction

The Buddha instructed ways to alleviate suffering and the practices to which one should adhere In contrast to clinical research in Western psychology, Buddhist recovery peer-support programs incorporated the essential teachings of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the. This paper conceptualized Buddhism in addiction recovery as three major categories: traditional Buddhist teachings, mindfulness in Western psychology, and Buddhist recovery peer-support programs. Buddhist theories are examined and compared in the discussion of Western psychology and Buddhist recovery peer support groups. We drew comparisons between Western interventions and Buddhist recovery peer-support programs, highlighting the implication and current limitation of both approaches.

Addiction and Cravings in Buddhism

Mindfulness and Addiction Treatment in Western Psychology

Buddhist Recovery Peer Support Programs in the West

Conclusions