What Is Meditation Therapy?

Why do people abuse drugs and alcohol, despite the many negative consequences they face? Most people continue using because it makes them feel good or numbs a pain they don’t wish to feel. Addiction doesn’t allow them to live fully in the moment, however. Negative events in their past or worries of the future consume them. Meditation is beneficial for anyone, and it can be especially helpful for someone overcoming addiction. Therefore, what is meditation therapy, and how does it fit into addiction treatment?

Exactly What Is Meditation Therapy?

You’ve probably heard of meditation. However, what is meditation therapy, specifically in treatment for drug and alcohol addiction?

Meditation is a practice designed to increase focus. There’s more than one way to do it. Some people stay silent and just focus on their breathing, while others chant a mantra.

Mindfulness, or being fully present, is a core component in meditation. It takes practice to ignore the many distractions around us. Once you get into the meditation habit, you often find it easier to cope with stress and anxiety, two common triggers for drug and alcohol abuse.

When someone suffers from addiction, their mind is always on their next hit. They may abuse drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with a traumatic event from their past. Therefore, they rarely live “in the moment.”

Meditation, however, teaches them to only focus on what’s going on right now. It increases self-awareness and can decrease the chances of relapse.

People often turn to drug and alcohol abuse when they don’t have more productive ways to deal with life’s difficulties. Although drinking and using don’t solve problems, it gives people the escape they so desperately want.

Why is meditation therapy beneficial for you if you feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts? Meditation helps to relieve stress and anxiety. When you’re not consumed with bad thoughts and feelings, you don’t seek ways to escape them.

Meditation Therapy in Addiction Treatment

Addiction specialists may use meditation mindfulness training alongside evidence-based treatment, such as psychotherapy, individual counseling, and group counseling. Moreover, it can be part of a holistic program designed to bring all aspects of a person’s health into alignment.

Therapy may include simple breathing and relaxation exercises. Clients may also concentrate on the body’s movements during yoga, pilates, or taking long walks. As they develop the practice of meditation, they now have a positive outlet for negative emotions.

Transformative Holistic Addiction Treatment

At Beaches Recovery, change your life for the better by overcoming substance abuse. Our expert staff employs innovative tools in treating clients, and our top priority is helping you achieve complete wellness.

The treatment services we offer include:

• Holistic care
• Gender-specific care
• Clinical care
• Acupuncture
• Massage

If you are ready to break the cycle of addiction, we can help. Call us today, and we’ll work with you on your way to long-term recovery. Contact Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 for more information.