While traditional therapy methods have proven time and time again to be the best way to go about treating addiction, many alternative types of treatment methods can be a great way to complement the more traditional therapies. Holistic treatment, such as meditation addiction recovery, has become incredibly popular over the years with treatment professionals and, as a result, more and more treatment centers have begun incorporating these therapies into their regimens.
When used in conjunction with traditional therapies, meditation can increase the effectiveness of those traditional therapies. This page will talk more about meditation and its benefits when it comes to addiction treatment and recovery.
What Is Meditation?
Before we discuss the benefits of meditation, we first need to understand what exactly it is. Meditation is a form of exercise that focuses on the mind-body connection to induce relaxation and serenity. Meditation, like yoga, focuses on the spirituality of the mind and body becoming one and has been shown to improve both physical and mental health.
Meditation does not have to be done in a specific place or for a specific amount of time. A person can practice meditation anywhere that is a quiet and distraction-free setting and they can focus on their breathing.
Are There Different Types of Meditation?
While a person can practice meditation any time, anywhere, there a different types of meditation that a person can participate in. The four main types of meditation are:
- Mindfulness meditation – focuses on increasing focus, concentration, and awareness
- Zen meditation – brings about calmness, encourages non-reactivity, and focuses on being in the present
- Guided meditation – encourages the vitalization of peaceful images while being guided by someone
- Transcendental meditation – involves a silent mantra and teaches effortlessness
What Are the Benefits of Meditation?
Overall, the purpose of meditation is to promote a sense of inner peace and calm, increase self-awareness, improve mental functioning, and help in detaching from thoughts and impulses, thus reducing the chance of relapse. In addition to these very valuable benefits, some of the other benefits of meditation include:
- Pain relief
- Stress management
- Anxiety relief
- A better immune system
- Decreased depression
- Better sleep
- A decrease in blood pressure
- Reduced PTSD and ADHD symptoms
- Reduced Post Acute Withdrawl Symptoms
- Increased strength and flexibility
Additionally, meditation has been shown to help alter brain waves which can help in the reprogramming of the brain that is done during addiction treatment.
How Can Meditation Help In the Treatment of Addiction?
Meditation has been proven to be effective during every step of the recovery and treatment process.
Meditation addiction recovery can begin during the detox process to help combat withdrawal-related symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Meditation can help calm the nervous system down which can improve sleep and improve the overall mood of the person as well.
During the treatment process, therapy is a major component. Not only does it help reprogram the brain, but it also allows both the person and the therapist to figure out what exactly lead to addiction in the first place. Therapy can be a very emotional experience as the person is likely talking about and reliving moments that are uncomfortable. Meditation is a great way to complement therapy in that it allows the person to calm their nerves and relax. Meditation has also been shown to help in the release of the “feel good” chemicals in the brain known as dopamine.
Another great way that meditation can help with addiction treatment is that it can actually help in preventing relapse. Meditation is a great way to distract the mind and take the focus away from cravings and possible relapse situations. Additionally, meditation can aid Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by reinforcing focusing on one’s behavior similar to a mindful practice.
What Are Some Meditation Exercises That Can Help With Addiction?
For many people, their first time practicing meditation occurs during treatment. While meditation performed in treatment centers tend to be guided meditation, there are many meditation exercises that one can perform both during treatment as well as after treatment after they have returned home. Here are some popular meditation exercises that help with addiction:
Breathing
Breathing is the most basic form of meditation. While breathing during meditation, it is important to breathe naturally while focusing on your inhaling and exhaling.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation focuses on bringing awareness to each part of your body. This allows you to relax every part of the body from head to toe.
Mantra-based Meditation
This type of meditation focuses on the repeating of a word or phrase over and over again. You can repeat the word or phrase either internally or externally. This is a great way to keep your focus on your meditating.
Movement Meditation
This type of meditation also incorporates a physical component such as walking, yoga, hiking, or surfing.
It’s important to remember that not every method works for every person. Trying different types of meditation will allow you to figure out which one works best for you.
Are You Interested In Meditation for Addiction Recovery?
Holistic treatment, such as meditation, has become more and more popular over the years as a way to complement traditional therapy methods. At Granite Mountain Behavioral Healthcare we believe that alternative treatment methods are just as valuable as the more traditional ones. That is why we are proud to offer holistic treatment options such as meditation.
Everyone is different and, as a result, the way they respond to treatment is different. That’s why we create custom treatment plans for every person that comes into our facility. It is our number one priority to get you the help you need so you can live your life and not allow drugs and alcohol to control you anymore. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction contact us today to learn more about our treatment options including meditation addiction recovery.
