Stress and personal triggers are often causes for a relapse. Many individuals who are going through treatment for substance addiction may not fully understand how to react or deal with stress. Not being able to handle stressful situations can lead back to substance abuse to make the uncomfortable feelings that come with stress to go away.
There have been numerous studies supporting the psychological and social benefits of regular meditation. Not only is mindfulness beneficial to those who are sober, but it can be especially helpful to those who are in the midst of recovery. Here are some facts.
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
Mindfulness is a form of meditation. Its main focus is to keep an individual fully present and aware of what is happening now. While mindfulness sounds very easy, it does take time, practice and patience to stay focused solely on the present moment. There are many mindfulness exercises that can be done to help train yourself to stay focused. Some techniques include:
Breathing exercises
Muscle relaxation
Mantras – (repeating words/phrases)
Guided meditation through an instructor
Movement – (yoga, tai chi, walking or hiking)
MANAGING STRESS
While it’s impossible to remove stress completely from your life, becoming aware of your thoughts can help you take a step back. Mindfulness can teach you techniques on how to put your thoughts on pause without judgment. Not only can stress cause a substance abuse relapse, but it’s also detrimental to your overall health.
COMBATING TRIGGERS
One of the first steps to a successful and long-term addiction recovery is to be aware of your personal triggers. Practicing mindfulness can help manage how you react to triggers that can cause a relapse. With continued practice and dedication, mindfulness can be used as an effective tool to resist cravings that stem from triggers.
THE BENEFITS
Not only can practicing mindfulness help with addiction recovery, but there are long-term benefits too! After practicing mindfulness you may experience the following benefits:
Reduced blood pressure
Enhancement of the immune system
Pain relief
Anxiety relief
Reduced symptoms of depression
If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse, The PAC Program can help. Not only do we offer holistic approaches to recovery, such as meditation, but individualized programs, education and counseling, as well. We provide young men between the ages of 18 and 30 a safe place for drug and alcohol recovery in Arizona. Contact our Arizona drug rehab today for more information about treatment options.
