Drugs and alcohol can make you feel like you’re on top of the world when you’re enveloped in the chemical high created by your brain’s reward center. But those intense feelings of pleasure don’t last, and sooner or later you crash—and hard. Then the long list of negative feelings arrives: depression, fear, self-loathing, uncertainty, loss of control. Some treatments for substance abuse, such as detoxification, address the physical addiction. Others, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focus on the psychological side.
As you begin to heal the mind and body, try meditation to heal your spirit as well.
Meditation for Stress Relief
Meditation is a holistic approach that aims to soothe the spiritual face of addiction. As you undergo treatment for your substance abuse disorder, you may be unable to concentrate. The underlying causes of your addiction may make you anxious, jittery, or sad. Emptying your mind of these negative emotions can help you become more clear-headed and motivated to overcome your problems.
Mindful meditation for addiction is the conscious act of focusing on one element, whether it’s your breathing or muscle relaxation. Imagining a safe place is another meditation technique. Quieting your mind through meditation for even a few short minutes can help you achieve a state of calm that has long-term, positive effects on your mental health.
Through meditation, you may be able to see your life and the choices you’ve made more clearly so you’re ready to solidify your commitment to long-term sobriety.
How to Begin Meditating
You don’t need special equipment or preparation for meditation. Wear comfortable clothing and find a quiet spot to start. Close your eyes and relax. Perhaps the simplest form of meditation is to focus on taking slow, deep breaths. Don’t worry when your mind starts to wander; it’s normal. Redirect yourself to your breathing each time until you can focus more easily. The more you practice meditation, the easier it will become and the more easily you can meditate for longer periods of time.
What Does the Science Say?
Meditation for addiction is an alternative treatment that often seems too “touchy-feely” for some men, but there’s scientific evidence to back up its use for drug and alcohol recovery. One recent study suggests that patients who used meditation techniques were more likely to complete residential treatment programs than those who did not meditate. Cravings, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms were also reduced in the meditation groups.
Meditation for Addiction in Men
Residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient drug treatment programs are increasingly incorporating holistic treatment approaches. To learn more about the therapeutic programs, fitness opportunities, and recreational activities available at 10 Acre Ranch addiction treatment for men, dial 877.228.4679 today. Serving men 18 and older, our therapeutic group activity setting encourages clients to return to an active, healthy lifestyle as they pursue long-term sobriety.
