Mindfulness and meditation have become all the rage in recent years, especially for those dealing with stress. Mindfulness is not a new practice, but many are using it in conjunction with therapy, medication, and exercise to help better their health.
For those who struggle with substance abuse, mindfulness techniques can be used to help aid in relapse prevention. Substance abuse is a complex issue that deals with strong addictive tendencies, so it is important to utilize mindfulness-based practices in connection with additional therapy. Mindfulness can help individuals stay sober and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
What Is Mindfulness?
The practice of mindfulness focuses on being completely present and aware of the moment. Mindfulness helps us to limit overreactions, focus on our body’s sensations, and stay in the present moment. The quality of mindfulness is something that we all possess, we just have to work to access it and use it properly.
The meditation practices that were rooted in Buddhist practices have become more widely used in psychology, everyday life, and medical situations. Using mindfulness and meditation has been shown to improve mood, focus, and addictions.
Impulsivity And Cravings
One of the biggest struggles during addiction is impulsive choices and craving substances. Mindfulness can help you control your impulsive choices and create non-reactive awareness. Meditation and mindfulness help reduce urges and will allow individuals to take control of their urges, work through them, and find different options to meet those needs.
Improving Psychological Well-Being
Finding more functional methods to help aid in your recovery will improve your psychological well-being as well as limit addictive behaviors. Practicing mindfulness and using the proper techniques will help reduce symptoms of mental illness which can contribute to addiction. Mental health issues often accompany substance abuse and can lead to individuals falling deeper into addiction.
Mindfulness helps teach individuals that their thoughts are just thoughts. Our thoughts are the force behind our feelings and actions which can contribute to impulses. We often confuse our thoughts with reality, making us spiral into unfounded beliefs. Mindfulness helps us to let go of harmful thoughts that work against us.
Mindfulness Techniques For Substance Abuse
Finding the right techniques for your specific needs will help you handle your substance abuse. There are many meditative techniques and mindfulness-based therapies that you can choose from. Here are some of the most common techniques that are used for patients dealing with substance abuse.
Mindful Breathing
While the basics of mindfulness focus on controlling your breathing, some techniques involve only focusing on your breathing. Working to control your breath can help reduce stress, ground you in the present, and focus on what your body is telling you.
Mindful breathing can help you through an impulsive episode or during a craving. Substance abuse tendencies can pop up at inconvenient times, so a breathing technique is helpful and inconspicuous.
Body Scan
This technique will have you mentally scan the body from head to toe and pay special attention to physical sensations. During a mental body scan, you should not judge your body’s sensations and recognize where you may be holding stress and tension. Body scans will help you connect with your body and recenter your nervous system.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
The MBSR technique was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn to be an 8-week program that teaches mindfulness basics. This process will help you reduce stress through multiple meditation techniques and improve your overall psychological well-being. Reducing stress is important for those who struggle with substance abuse as limiting addiction can result in withdrawal or enhanced depression.
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)
This technique was specifically designed to help with substance abuse. Combining multiple meditation and mindfulness techniques, MBRP will help you avoid relapse. Reducing stress, regulating emotions, connecting with your body, and improving your physical health through mindfulness are done in MBRP therapy.
Therapy From Red Willow Counseling And Recovery
Our therapists and counselors utilize a variety of techniques to help patients live a healthier life. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or grief, our team can help you feel more in control of your emotions and impulses. Working to harness mindfulness has helped individuals of all ages and struggles.
Red Willow encourages all our patients to focus on techniques that work for them while also attending therapy. We provide effective treatment through compassionate service and evidence-based therapy. Reach out to us at our Park City or Salt Lake City location to get started.
