VIPASSANA MEDITATION AS AN ADJUNCT TREATMENT MODALITY IN THE TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITHSUBSTANCE / DRUGADDICTION

Abstract

Addiction involves continuous use of a substance with neglect of other things in life. It essentially incorporatesconceptslikeCraving, Tolerance, Withdrawal, Abuse etc., developing a sense of Dependence in the person. With the increasing civilization and modernization, abuse of various substances has been rampant across all age groupsspecially youth. Recent National Crime Record 
Bureau (NCRB) dataindicates that maximum crime against society conducted by Youth were under drug or substance influence. With an overall increase in understanding, towards managingpersons with substance abuse, various treatment modalities were in place. However, review of existing literature indicates that, use ofbehavioraland/or pharmacologicaltreatment modalities, though 
targeting Craving issues are,at best yielding mixed outcomes.Relapses are commonly seen in person with addiction problems as the sense of Craving- meaning the urge to take a substance, is not well tolerated by the addict.