Kleshas: The Five Afflictions Underlying Addiction

Patanjali identifies five kleshas (afflictions or obstacles to liberation) that cause all suffering: avidya (ignorance), asmita (egoism), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (survival instinct distortion). These kleshas create the psychological conditions where addiction develops and persists. Avidya—fundamental misunderstanding about what produces wellbeing—drives addicts to pursue substances as solutions. Asmita's false identification with ego-desires generates the false self that 'needs' the addictive substance. Raga (attachment to pleasure, especially the memory of addictive highs) perpetuates craving despite consequences. Dvesha (aversion to discomfort) drives escape through addictive coping rather than facing difficult emotions. Abhinivesha (fear of loss, distorted survival instinct) generates desperate clinging to addictive behaviors as perceived safety. Understanding addiction through the kleshas framework moves beyond simplistic 'choice' or 'disease' models to identify five psychological mechanisms requiring specific healing. Recovery addresses each: developing wisdom (countering avidya), distinguishing true self from false ego desires (resolving asmita), understanding impermanence (releasing raga), developing equanimity toward discomfort (transcending dvesha), and reorienting survival instinct toward genuine wellbeing (transforming abhinivesha).