Approximately half of the people who enter into addiction treatment for substance abuse disorder end up falling into relapse within a year. According to the medical community, addiction is literally a disease, and it can be incredibly hard to heal from without professional guidance and ongoing support. If you struggle with addiction and are researching recovery approaches, you may have run across the concept of mindfulness. As a daily practice, mindfulness can be a powerful tool to help you manage your cravings and triggers. If that sparked your curiosity and you’re wondering: “Can mindfulness meditation work for addiction?” you can learn more about the practice with us.
Can Mindfulness Meditation Work for Addiction?
If you’ve heard of mindfulness, you’ve probably wondered can mindfulness meditation work for addiction. Before getting into the details of the practice, it’s helpful to know whether or not the practice has actually proven effective for substance abuse disorders.
According to researchers, the practice can be highly beneficial for preventing future relapse in those who struggle with substance abuse. Experts assert that mindfulness practices, when combined with more traditional addiction treatment therapies, help increase self-awareness, which promotes long-term recovery from drug and alcohol abuse.
It’s important to keep in mind that mindfulness meditation is not meant to be a replacement for professional substance abuse treatment. Rather, the practice serves to augment traditional treatment approaches. This is especially true after medical detox completion when you begin learning how to develop healthy habits and coping mechanisms.
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
Have you been asking yourself: “Can mindfulness meditation work for addiction?” the first thing you need to understand is what mindfulness actually entails. When you practice mindfulness, you focus on paying close attention to your current thoughts and surroundings. You work on remaining in the present moment and tolerating your emotions rather than using substances to mask your feelings or cope with stressful situations.
In a mindfulness meditation practice, you’ll find an anchor that you can focus on returning to in times of stress or when you’re experiencing heightened negative emotions. Triggers that would normally cause you to turn to substance abuse are manageable with mindfulness meditation. However, you must practice the habit diligently.
When you meditate, you focus on your anchor — usually your breath — to help you calm agitated feelings. Rather than attempting to avoid those emotions, you work to recognize them. This practice allows you to develop a deeper awareness of what’s going on in your mind that drives you to addiction. After processing those emotions, you simply let them pass and return peacefully to your anchor.
You Have a Multitude of Treatment Options at Serenity Light Recovery
Although practicing daily mindfulness meditation can be highly beneficial if you’re struggling with addiction, it’s not a panacea. In many cases, mindset practices alone are not enough to combat the repercussions of drug abuse.
Any form of addiction can take a severe toll on your brain, body, and psyche. Unfortunately, without professional guidance and medical supervision, your chances of falling into relapse are much higher. At our full-service addiction treatment center, we offer a variety of resources and treatments, including:
- Inpatient drug rehab with full medical detox
- Intensive outpatient rehab
- Holistic recovery center
- Extended care programs
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Get the Help You Need at Serenity Light Recovery
If you struggle with drug or alcohol abuse, getting professional help is the first step toward a brighter future. At Serenity Light Recovery, we strive to provide an ever-growing pool of valuable, innovative resources to help you succeed in your recovery. Our team of experienced medical, psychology, and therapy professionals will be by your side, providing guidance and offering compassionate support. If you’re ready to take back control of your life and happiness, our team is ready to help you do it!
Addiction is a lifestyle you cannot afford to maintain, so when you’re ready to reach out for help, please reach out to our team at (281) 431-6700 for more information on your treatment options.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”
