What’s more, incorporating mindfulness exercises into treatment is especially helpful for those of us who have struggled with addiction to alcohol, drugs, porn, unhealthy relationships or other destructive behaviors. However, confronting uncomfortable emotions is the most difficult challenge to mindfulness and meditation. Addiction is often tied to uncomfortable feelings and memories, so facing them through meditation can be difficult. Practicing mindfulness and meditation while recovering from addiction encourages you to pay attention to what you do and think about, even things that you’ve been doing on autopilot.
The Benefits of Meditation in Addiction Recovery
Restorationtherapy.com defines and outlines how to “urge surf” succinctly. Addictioncenter.com notes several other emotional and environmental triggers as well as warning signs for relapse. Notice how many are outcomes of the pandemic, i.e., loss of a loved one, boredom, etc.
NLP For Recovery – Navigating the Detours on the Road to Recovery – Chapter 1
- In addition to this I recommend mindfulness meditation, yoga practice, and regular exercise as they are all excellent to help mood regulation.
- Some people pay attention to their physical experience, listening to their entire body and allowing each sensation to exist without judgment.
- When we’re stressed, it’s easy to get sucked into a damaging spiral of self-defeating thoughts.
- However, the first step is to verify that the rehab facility accepts your insurance.
Intention and attention of focus were the keys to reaching these states, not the number of hours spent on a meditation cushion (Lazar and Siegel 2007). From my own experience and work, I know that regular addiction meditation mindfulness practice allows us to set aside distractions and enter the transformative state of open mind. Studies investigating the link between substance use and meditation are ongoing. Recent evidence found mindfulness-based interventions like meditation could reduce the consumption ofalcohol, cocaine and amphetamines. Mindfulness practice may alsoreduce the risk of relapse, as it teaches the practitioner coping methods for discomfort such as drug cravings or the negative effects of substances. With accumulating evidence supporting the efficacy of MBIs, the purpose of this paper is to review the cognitive, affective, and neural mechanisms underlying the effects of MBIs on SUDs.
Social Media and the Link to Drug Addiction
- Stillness opens our hearts and minds to the vast potential within us as we move through addiction treatment and into recovery.
- Meditation also strengthens the immune system by regulating inflammatory markers and gene expression.
- However, know it’s important to identify what caused it in the first place and how you can internally heal from and make peace with it.
- Additionally, it’s vital to view meditation as a supplementary component of a broader recovery strategy, not as the sole solution.
Meditation makes it easier for them to forgive the past and develop healthy relationships. The important thing is to find whatever works for you—your special connection to that quiet place where you can become mindful, listen to your heart and renew your spirit again and again. Mindfulness helps us build connections by teaching us to view ourselves and others through the lens of compassion. We let go of the judgments, stereotypes, and prejudices that build walls and practice the tolerance, kindness, and empathy that build bridges.
Planning a Vacation with a Loved One in Recovery
It can help keep you anchored in the moment, identify what causes cravings, and provide clarity when you’re struggling with recovery. Overcome addiction with our family support system, and regain control of your life! If you or a loved one is seeking a path to a healthier, sober life, Adelante Recovery Centers is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to embark on your journey to recovery with a partner you can trust for excellence and compassionate care. Additionally, it’s vital to view meditation as a supplementary component of a broader recovery strategy, not as the sole solution. Combining meditation with other therapeutic methods, under professional guidance, can lead to a more comprehensive and effective approach to recovery.
Support Our Mission
- Building new skills does not happen quickly, so patience while learning and practicing this new coping technique is essential.
- The evidence of mindfulness in the prevention of relapse is limited by high attrition rates in RCTs.
- Notice how many are outcomes of the pandemic, i.e., loss of a loved one, boredom, etc.
- Depending on the type you choose, you may practice meditation to help you relieve stress, counter cravings and triggers, or enhance your ability to remain present without ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.
- A study by Brewer et al., (2009) on individuals with opioid use disorder found that a mantra-based meditation program significantly reduced opioid cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates compared to a control group.
- Changing your mind (or thought processes) actually causes changes in the brain (Lazar et al. 2005).
These things include the most mundane habits, like scrolling on social media or brushing your teeth. The emotional benefits of meditation foster a greater sense of self-worth, hope, and connection – all of which are substantial for sustained addiction recovery and overall life satisfaction. Ditation is an effective complement to addiction treatment, helping individuals develop the skills, self-awareness, and resilience needed to achieve and maintain recovery. At its core, meditation is about focusing one’s attention in a calm and steady manner, often centering on one’s breath or inner thoughts. This process of deep concentration and mindfulness leads to a profound sense of relaxation and tranquility.
Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support
The researchers found that mindfulness-based interventions led to significant reductions in cortisol levels and blood pressure compared to control conditions. This lends strong support to the use of meditation therapy as a complementary approach to managing the physiological consequences of addiction. Research by Paulus et al., (2012) suggests that body scan meditation increases interoceptive awareness, which is the ability to perceive internal bodily sensations. This enhanced awareness helps individuals in addiction recovery recognize and manage cravings. The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
