Addiction is a growing problem worldwide. Thankfully there are numerous resources available to help with recovery. There are a wealth of methodologies and practices that have been proven to help those suffering from addiction. However, it’s becoming more and more common to use a whole-person approach to addiction treatment. That means that during your fight with addiction, other things are taken into consideration as well, such as mental health, overall physical health, and general well-being. One of the things that many therapists have discovered to improve the quality of life during recovery and help combat addiction is meditation. So, let’s look at some of the top meditation techniques to fight addiction.
Mindfulness Meditation to Treat Addiction
Mindfulness meditation has been around for centuries. It’s a primary part of the Buddhist religion. These days it’s part of multiple religious and non-religious meditation practices. From Hinduism to yoga, people worldwide have turned to mindfulness as a form of meditation to help them overcome difficulties in their lives.
More recently, modern Western secular communities have begun to popularize mindfulness methods.
If you are looking for addiction treatments in New Jersey, incorporating mindfulness meditation into your treatment plan may be an excellent option. In fact, studies have shown that even a short period of daily mindfulness practice can help reduce cravings and improve overall well-being during addiction recovery. This technique focuses on staying present in the current moment and being aware of one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment.
Mindfulness has even made its way into behavioral therapy programs. It has been used to treat major depressive disorder through mindfulness and cognitive therapy.
Mindfulness is a way of opening your mind to a deeper awareness that allows you to better understand yourself and the world around you.
Addicts often use and abuse substances as a method of escape and to avoid dealing with stress. They are almost always trying to escape the moment rather than be in it. That’s where mindfulness can really help.
To practice mindfulness, it’s essential to be absolutely present in the current moment. That means not staring at your phone while you’re holding a conversation with someone but instead genuinely engaging in the moment.
It’s a simple practice to get started on. You just have to start being aware. Every little thing in your life is an interaction. When was the last time you felt the floor beneath your feet rather than just walking into a room without thought?
One way to focus is by concentrating on your breathing. Your mind is forced directly into the present by becoming acutely aware of each breath. You simply center your mind on each inhale and exhale you take, observing it without altering your behavior. You can also focus on other body interactions when breathing, the way the air feels through your nose, or the sensations you experience with the rising and falling of your chest. All of these are small ways of being mindful.
It can take time to adjust to, but it can help make you more aware of your own body and thoughts. It can help you recognize things in your life that would typically trigger you to turn to drugs or alcohol. Once you understand what those triggers are easier to overcome.
Guided Meditation for Addiction
Guided meditation isn’t a constant self-awareness like mindfulness. However, it can include elements of mindfulness. For instance, during a guided meditation, you may be told to focus on how your muscles start to relax or each breath you take.
Guided meditations are always led by an instructor or someone knowledgeable in the process. Guided meditation sessions can be done in a classroom, one-on-one, or even virtually through zoom groups.
Guided meditation has been used in the addiction community for years, with high success rates. The instructor will talk and guide you through meditating, usually using visualization techniques.
Generally, when meditating, you want to find the most comfortable position needed and a quiet space where you can hear the instructor clearly. If you’re doing these virtually, headphones can be a huge help. If you’re in a classroom setting, generally, there are pillows or yoga mats to make it more comfortable.
Guided meditations can help uncover emotional connections in your addiction while also letting you relax and de-stress. The guided process is helpful for those who struggle to meditate on their own. It can be a great learning experience. People often take the techniques they’ve learned in a guided meditation and practice on their own at home.
Meditations with Mantras for Addiction Treatment
Meditations come in all different types, making them an excellent tool for treating addiction. There is something that will help nearly everyone. Mantras are popular in part because they are simple to follow.
A mantra is merely a statement that you repeat while meditating over and over. It’s a way of reinforcing an idea or a feeling that can help you through the recovery process.
For example, “I am stronger than my addiction” or “I deserve to be sober and happy” could be used as a mantra.
Addiction treatment has taken a turn towards treating people as a whole rather than focusing on only the disease. It’s common for most treatment plans to include mediation sessions and mental health to help people find the process that works best for them.
Meditation alone is not a solution for treating addiction. However, it can be a powerful tool in the arsenal of a recovery program.
Benefits of Meditation on Addiction Treatment
Meditation has been shown to have multiple benefits in general, especially for those fighting addiction. One of the major contributing factors to addiction and relapse is stress and anxiety. Meditation is exceptionally good at helping to reduce both everyday stress and general anxiety.
Guided meditations can help to improve your mood, as well as help you discover more about yourself.
Meditating can help to reduce brain activity, specifically helpful for those who over think and have trouble shutting off intrusive thoughts. Meditation can also benefit those who deal with insomnia, allowing them to quiet their minds and get a good night’s rest.
Meditation also helps those who practice any of its many forms achieve a feeling of inner peace and understanding. This allows them to be more engaged with the other parts of the recovery process.
Meditation is only one part of a whole-person approach to fighting addiction. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, it’s essential to know help is available. It can never hurt to reach out and ask if a recovery program or treatment plan is right for you.