Content
Recovering addicts learn that they are not responsible for their thoughts, but they are responsible for how they react to those thoughts. Through meditation they can acknowledge their addictive thoughts without trying to push them away, yet choose the path of recovery. Stillness opens our hearts and minds to the vast potential within us as we move through addiction treatment and into recovery. When we’re stressed, it’s easy to get sucked into a damaging spiral of self-defeating thoughts.
Through this technique, clients learn to consciously and adaptively respond to the urge to use substances rather than automatically reacting to appetitive cues in maladaptive ways. Such tailoring is presumed necessary for maximizing clinical effects of MBIs as treatments for addiction, though no quantitative comparisons of tailored (e.g., MBRP) versus general (e.g., MBSR) MBIs have been conducted for individuals with substance use disorders. Comparative effectiveness research or dismantling trials are needed to determine whether such addiction-specific tailoring increases effect sizes. These findings supporting of the restructuring reward hypothesis were paralleled by preliminary functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) evidence of the effects of MORE on nicotine dependent smokers.
Meditation as a Stress-Reliever
In pharmacological research, it is imperative to examine dose–response relationships to identify the optimal therapeutic dose. Dose–response curves can help to identify the dose needed to achieve a satisfactory clinical outcome while minimizing the side-effect profile of the drug. Although MBIs delivered in clinical settings appear to have few adverse effects [79], the costs and time required to deliver complex behavioral treatments like MBIs necessitate dose–response considerations to identify the minimal therapeutic dose. Null effects of MBIs observed in Stage II or III clinical trials might very well be qualified by extent of mindfulness practice, and thus mindfulness practice engagement should be tested as a treatment outcome moderator. Meditation can be a valuable tool in the fight against addiction by promoting greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stress reduction.
In a pilot study of MORE as a smoking cessation intervention [34], smokers viewed cigarette images during a cue-reactivity task, and then in a separate positive emotion regulation task, either viewed or savored images representing natural rewards. Furthermore, resting state functional connectivity between rACC and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) significantly increased in the MORE group relative to the comparison group. To be clear, MORE provides integrated training in mindfulness, reappraisal, and savoring skills, and therefore other MBIs may or may not exert similar effects on restructuring the relative salience of natural and drug-related reward. However, other potential mechanisms of mindfulness as a treatment for addiction have been identified in the literature and are discussed below.
Scripts and recordings of Recovery Dharma Meditations (Community-Created)
The brain is the only organ that’s shaped by experience and practice, much like a muscle gets bigger and stronger with exercise. In the past, when you repeatedly engaged in specific thoughts and behaviors that propelled your addiction, you unknowingly shaped your brain in ways that worked against you and prevented you from being mindful. Although it has many forms, meditation is usually practiced by sitting and quietly observing your body or thoughts. Some people focus on their breath, and feel it swell inside their chest before they slowly exhale. Some people pay attention to their physical experience, listening to their entire body and allowing each sensation to exist without judgment. And some simply sit and watch as new thoughts enter and exit their mind.
This increased awareness can help you recognize the triggers that contribute to your addictive behaviors, and can also help you develop healthier coping mechanisms. Many studies indicate that mindfulness meditation – a specific type of meditation – that focuses on awareness of the present moment may help reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol. Mindfulness-based interventions like mindfulness meditation have been proven effective for reducing relapse rates in those with substance use disorders (addictions).
Transcendental Meditation
Meditation, an age-old practice, serves as a sanctuary for those seeking inner peace and mental clarity. Originating from various spiritual and religious traditions, it has evolved into a universally embraced method for enhancing personal well-being. Let’s unpack the numerous benefits meditation offers in the journey toward sobriety and well-being. Like other forms of addiction, addiction to alcohol causes great harm to those who are dependent and everyone connected to…
Being able to achieve mindfulness, relaxation, and positive emotional responses after a meditation session is important, whether you’re doing it to help with addiction treatment or just to improve your mental health in general. However, meditation is a way to train your mind and body, and the longest-lasting benefits come when you can translate the mindfulness exercises into real life. Being able to calm down and think, respecting yourself and others, and setting healthy habits are all a part of long-term addiction recovery. Coming full circle, MBIs are some of the newest additions to the armamentarium of addictions treatment. It is perhaps no coincidence that the rise of MBIs has been co-incident with advances in the neuroscience of substance use disorders. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, or MBRP, was created in 2010 at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington.
If your mind wanders to the past or future, refocus on your breathing to return yourself to the present moment. Additionally, meditation causes the release of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that work as natural painkillers https://ecosoberhouse.com/ by prompting a euphoric high. Adelante Recovery Center is here to help those that are battling drug and alcohol addiction. We are located in beautiful southern California and welcome those from across the country.
- Effective, lifelong recovery starts by treating the whole person, not just the substance use disorder.
- However, all of them share a common goal of heightening their practitioners’ connection with their mind and body.
- Teaching yourself to be kind and empathetic to everyone, including you, goes a long way in helping you live a happier and more productive life.
Beginning a meditation practice can be as simple as dedicating a few minutes each day to quiet reflection and deep breathing. This practice can act as a grounding technique, helping to center thoughts and emotions, particularly during moments of temptation or stress. For those seeking expert support, listening to recorded guided meditations or attending meditation classes can be incredibly beneficial. 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. Below, we’ll explore the transformative role of meditation in overcoming addiction.
Verify Benefits
More specifically, results show that more than 34% of the 1,079 respondents reported changes or disruptions in accessing treatment or recovery support services. Fourteen percent purported that they were unable to receive their needed services, and 2% say they were unable to access naloxone services. Individuals who practice meditation gain insights into themselves that help them make decisions that support their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Recovering addicts who keep in touch with themselves through daily meditation are more likely to recognize early warning signs that they may be headed for relapse. They can then use their other recovery tools to keep destructive behavior at bay. 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.
Whether we notice them or not, our thoughts are the driving force behind our feelings and actions. What we think about ourselves and others determines how we carry ourselves in the world, how we interact with people around us and how effectively we manage life. Being mindful starts with paying attention to ordinary things—the sensation of your feet rising and falling as you walk to the car, the feel of soapy water sliding over your hands as you wash the dishes, the taste and texture of food in your mouth as you eat a meal. Being mindful is about being present, increasing our awareness, and opening our eyes to the reality of now. Yet when our attention is continually somewhere else, we go through life on auto-pilot, never really seeing the richness of life or fully realizing our own potential.
