Meditation takes on many forms and, for some, many stereotypes and misconceptions. However, whether one is on a quest for inner peace or simply looking to increase awareness, meditation offers many benefits to those working through alcohol addiction. Many well-documented studies have shown how meditation can be an effective tool in alcohol addiction treatment, helping those in recovery cope with stress, triggers, and the stages of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Never the sole source of treatment, meditation is just one facet of a comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment plan. Meditation helps remind those dealing with alcohol addiction that they have choices and do not have to react to depressing thoughts or what seems like overpowering desires.
Instead of reacting to stress and triggers, meditation affords individuals an alternative way of thinking. Because it trains the mind to focus on the present to encourage mindful choices, those who practice meditation as part of their alcohol addiction treatment plan find better ways to function and cope with everyday life.
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Does meditation help in alcohol addiction treatment?
Meditation supports addiction therapy efforts. By no means the sole source of treatment, meditation can be used as one of many facets of comprehensive treatment, and it can help individuals work productively throughout the scope of their treatment.
From soothing the withdrawal symptoms to helping individuals better cope with stressors that lead to relapse, meditation provides a beneficial way to occupy the mind as just one facet of a comprehensive treatment plan.
How meditation in alcohol addiction treatment works
Meditation aims to detach individuals from the inner dialogue and stress that causes them to react to triggers. Through meditation, those in recovery view their desire to drink from a different perspective. Patients recognize the difference between the desire to drink and the act of drinking. Bringing awareness to themselves, people can understand how the desire to drink is a natural occurrence, not a shameful one, aiding in their recovery efforts.
How meditation can help during withdrawal
Withdrawal produces a variety of symptoms that are difficult to cope with both physically and mentally. Meditation helps to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness by grounding individuals and calming them. Calming the nervous systems helps alleviate these stressors, bring more restful nights, and better moods during the day.
How meditation can help avoid relapse
Individuals find it difficult to cope with the stress of everyday life while recovering from alcohol addiction. Sleep issues, pain, depression, cravings, and more become triggers for those in recovery.
Meditation helps to avoid relapse by reducing these symptoms. Individuals in recovery find meditation to be a beneficial practice to exercise their minds, keeping them focused on the present and offering a path to intentional living.
The benefits of meditation in alcohol addiction treatment
As part of an overall treatment plan, meditation-based activities provide a wealth of well-documented benefits for those in alcohol addiction treatment. Although meditation exercises the mind, the benefits enhance both the mind and body.
Mental health benefits of meditation
Meditation sounds simple, but it requires work that pays off for your mental health. Especially for those in recovery, enhancing mental health helps individuals make positive choices and employ the sober-living skills they learned in counseling.
Those who meditate report the following mental benefits:
- Lower levels of stress
- Decreased anxiety
- Improved mood
- Feelings of calm
Physical benefits of meditation
Never a cure, meditation enhances a comprehensive treatment plan and offers just one tool to cope with alcohol addiction. Those who practice meditation consistently report better mental health and better management of physical symptoms of the disease.
Physical benefits include:
- Decreased pain intensity
- Restful sleep
- Reduction in bowel issues
- Fewer headaches
Types of meditation for alcohol addiction recovery
Although meditation brings to mind sitting quietly, cross-legged, in the lotus pose, meditation comes in many forms. Because each method uses different practices, each method offers slightly different outcomes. All, however, provide valuable benefits to those in recovery, and having options means you can find a method of meditation that works best for you and your unique needs.
Mindfulness meditation
The most popular method of meditation, mindfulness meditation can easily be incorporated into daily life and adapts to your unique situation. Mindfulness meditation trains the mind to increase focus, concentration, and awareness.
As with all meditation, the practice of mindfulness increases awareness, but unlike other methods, such as Zen meditation, mindfulness focuses on something intently to calm your mind and decrease your inner dialogue. Mindfulness meditation has gained popularity because you can practice it formally or informally.
Zen meditation
Zen meditation encourages you to reinforce attention to the present and clear the past from your thoughts. This method enables you to make clear, thoughtful choices instead of quick reactions. Like mindfulness, Zen increases awareness, but the practice focuses on breathing and general awareness.
Guided meditation
Often used to support other types of meditation, guided meditation uses someone’s voice or script to guide you through the practice of meditating. Especially helpful for beginners, guided meditation offers additional support to clear your busy mind and anchor you in the present moment with peace and general awareness.
Transcendental meditation
You practice transcendental meditation quite differently than other forms of meditation. In this passive and relaxing practice, you use a mantra to allow the mind to wander beyond the process of thought. Unlike mindfulness, where you work to reclaim the mind and bring it back to a thought process, transcendental meditation allows your mind to roam freely, producing relaxation and calm.
Mindful thoughts before you go
Meditation represents just one facet of a comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment plan. A helpful tool throughout recovery, meditation alone can not solve the complex issues that drive a person to abuse alcohol.
Comprehensive treatment is always the best option. It guides people to overcome addiction with personal, directed care and support, giving individuals the knowledge and skills to practice sober living. While it’s beneficial to both the mind and body, meditation is just one of those skills.
