Psychology & Buddhism.pdf

112 G. Rita Dudley-Grant
More recently, psychologists and other mental health professionals have recognized
the need to research, develop and implement paradigms of treatment which
can draw upon the information from addiction research, as well as the newest
approaches to intervention from psychodynamic and behavioral models. Genetics
is also acknowledged as playing a role. The two major western psychological theories
of addiction, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral, currently provide the
foundation for much of addiction research. A particular aspect of intervention with
addiction is its relationship to spirituality, a long-standing aspect of recovery, which
is more recently gaining attention from the research community (Carroll, 1993).
Buddhism also has addressed issues of addiction, from spiritual and theoretical
perspectives. Buddhist doctrines, Eastern in origin, but having growing impact
on Eastern culture and psychological thought, addresses craving and attachment,
indicating that an appreciation of the impermanence of all things can inform our
understanding of the causation and mechanics of addictions. Buddhist theories of
the twelve-fold chain of interdependent origination have been used as a model for
understanding addiction. More recently, the concept of the presence of the Ten
Worlds has been considered in relationship to addictions. In this doctrine, the
world of hunger or insatiable desire is one of the four lower worlds leading to
the destruction of the human spirit.
Psychology, Buddhism and addiction are considered from two perspectives
in this chapter. One is the theoretical understanding of the psychology
of addiction from a Buddhist perspective. The other more subtle issue is the
role of spirituality in recovery, and how the practice of Buddhism interacts with
traditional understanding of that process. The theory of addiction within
Buddhism is presented in the context of the discussion of the role of spirituality
in recovery. Commonalties and contrasts between these two great Eastern and
Western traditions can inform and enhance practitioners and researchers alike. It
can move us beyond narrow, culture bound frameworks for understanding and
intervention into a more inclusive theory which can address this world wide
plague which has overshadowed the development of our global community and
threatens to consume the forward development of all mankind.
Spirituality and addiction have been linked for many years, as exemplified
through the growth and acknowledged success of Alcoholics Anonymous and
other twelve step programs (McCrady & Miller, 1993; Spalding & Metz, 1997).
Interest in the role of spirituality in recovery has continued to grow and has
burgeoned to the point of national attention within the research community.
For example, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAA]
(Feb 18, 2000) in conjunction with the Fetzer Institute, a nonprofit foundation,
released a Request for Funding to research the role of religiousness and spirituality
in the prevention, treatment and recovery from alcoholism and alcohol-related
diseases. While there has been a concerted attempt to distinguish religion from
spirituality (Green, Fullilove, & Fullilove, 1998), spirituality has most frequently