Mindfulness has become a powerful tool in many areas of life. Additionally, it can be a powerful ally in substance abuse treatment. Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment. With mindfulness, an individual calmly acknowledges and accepts their feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
Practicing mindfulness can help individuals in recovery reduce triggers, increase self-awareness, and improve their overall mental and physical health. In addition, mindfulness can be used to develop coping skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote overall well-being. Mindfulness can also help with relapse prevention, as it facilitates a greater understanding of the self, allowing individuals to more effectively navigate difficult times and situations.
Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness in Substance Abuse Treatment
When individuals in recovery learn to be more mindful, they can better identify and manage the emotions that previously informed their substance abuse. Mindfulness can help individuals in substance abuse treatment recognize that the cravings and urges they experience are common in recovery. This perspective empowers them to fight through the cravings. Decreased cravings and urges can help individuals stay in treatment, avoid relapse, and maintain their sobriety.
Practicing mindfulness may be particularly helpful for individuals who experience substance abuse co-morbidities, such as depression or anxiety. Depression and anxiety are commonly co-occurring disorders in those with substance use disorder (SUD). Focusing one’s attention on the present moment rather than the overwhelming pressures of life helps shift focus away from negative thoughts.
Relapse Prevention
Research tells us that mindfulness is a powerful tool in relapse prevention. As mentioned previously, practicing mindfulness can help individuals identify feelings associated with cravings and urges. Individuals can make more informed decisions based on these feelings.
Additionally, mindfulness can encourage individuals to recognize when cravings and urges occur. They can react to them rather than allow them to dictate behavior. With increased self-awareness and an understanding of the emotional triggers that lead to cravings, individuals can make a greater effort to stay in recovery and avoid relapse.
Improves Coping Skills
In addition to the benefits of mindfulness in recovery, practitioners can also use mindfulness techniques to help individuals develop coping skills. Practicing mindfulness techniques can strengthen cognitive coping skills. Skills such as problem-solving, introspection, and critical thinking can all be enhanced through meditation. These skills can help individuals to identify triggers, decrease stress, and increase their sense of self-efficacy in recovery.
Through mindfulness exercises, individuals can learn to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. They become more self-aware and better identify their own needs and wants. With increased self-awareness, individuals can make more informed decisions, develop a greater sense of self-efficacy, and ultimately feel empowered in recovery.
Recovery is a rewarding but challenging journey. Learning to embrace mindfulness while in treatment can provide a lifelong coping tool that is valuable beyond measure.
Making the decision to live a life of recovery is the best decision you can make for yourself. In addition to other treatments you can receive at The Guest House, mindfulness can help you tackle the self-defeating behaviors that exist in your daily life. Practicing mindfulness can help you better identify and manage cravings, increase self-awareness and self-efficacy, and build healthy relationships. It can be an invaluable tool for overcoming substance use disorder and maintaining long-term recovery. Call (855) 483-7800 today for more information.