Mindfulness Meditation and Addiction Resources
On my personal sobriety journey I’ve embraced meditation as a powerful tool to help me overcome my marijuana addiction and completely reframe my relationship with alcohol.
Mindfulness meditation has given me a set of tools that empowers me to create the necessary space between action (urge/desire) and reaction (submission). I’ve discovered massive personal power can be unlocked in a seemingly insignificant moment of time. In my case, whenever Drinkie or Smokie show up to pull me off course, I RAIN on their parade, and make better choices.
If you’ve spent much time visiting the ReturnOnSobriety blog, you’ll know that at day 35 of daily meditation, my marijuana addiction quit me and launched my sober curiosity into overdrive. It was at that critical juncture, I recognized the relationship between meditation and addiction, specifically the ways in which meditation can work to counter the nefarious influences of addiction.
I wish you much success on your own sobriety journey, but please know, the content provided here documents my personal journey (one of a layman), should not be construed as professional advice or addiction counseling, and what works for me, may not work for you. But fear not! Help is just a phone call or click away! I strongly encourage seek professional help if you or your loved ones are negatively impacted by alcoholism or addiction.
If you’d like to learn more about meditation and addiction research, programs, and strategies, the resources below can kickstart your journey.
Meditation and Addiction Resources Directory
Psychology Today
Excerpt: Mindfulness meditation has also been shown to contribute to improved self-control, and since impulsivity plays an important role in addiction and drug abuse, better self-control is always welcome.
Recovery.org
Excerpt: Meditation is a complementary and alternative (CAM) approach to mainstream addiction recovery services, such as psychotherapy and group counseling. This mind and body practice can heighten the benefits of traditional therapies when used in combination with them.
Ohio University
Excerpt: – Meditation has been demonstrated to be effective in helping people manage both anxiety and addiction. Studies of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown a reduction in substance misuse among people with addictive behaviors, such as excessive drinking and opioid use.
Mindworks
Excerpt: Research confirms that meditation has been proven to counter addiction issues especially when combined with psychological methods, as in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Mindfulness-based practices can also be very effective in helping prevent relapse. Guided meditation is also recommended.
LifeProcessProgram Podcast
Excerpt: Today we discuss the ways in which mindfulness and meditation can help you notice, acknowledge, re-frame, and OVERCOME addiction.
National Library Of Medicine
Excerpt: Mindfulness meditation in the treatment of substance use disorders and preventing future relapse: neurocognitive mechanisms and clinical implications.
Addiction Center
Excerpt: Due to the impactful effects of meditation, it has become more available in both substance abuse and general wellness circles as a form of therapy. The overall goal of meditation is to synchronize the mind and body for improved mental well-being and an enhanced quality of life.
Laguna Shores Recovery
Excerpt: In the field of addiction recovery, meditation and mindfulness are integral to holistic healing. Many treatment centers provide coaching on applying these techniques as part of relapse prevention plans. These two practices provide benefits for the mind and the body, improving both physical and mental health.
DeclutterTheMind
Excerpt: Cravings come in many different forms and intensity. Whether yours are more serious or creating problems in your life, guided meditation for cravings can help you be more aware of what’s going on in your mind when a craving starts.
SeniorStrong.org
Excerpt: Meditation can become a better coping method when other substances, such as drugs or alcohol, are removed from the equation throughout the recovery process. It holds especially true for individuals who may have initially sought relief from their anxiety by using substances such as alcohol.
Stephen Rose, PhD.
Excerpt: Many clients underestimate the power of meditation, compared to other facets of addiction treatment. Meditation’s recent growth in popularity is more than merely a personal development trend, as researchers discover its surprising neurobiological benefits.
Resources To Recovery
Excerpt: No matter what substance you use, if you do it regularly, some changes leading to addiction inevitably occur in your brain. To rewire an addicted brain, you need to undergo a treatment process that will heal not only body but mind as well. Fortunately, there is a method that can help you stop reacting to such triggers. This method is called meditation.
Wake Up World
Excerpt: Meditation and mindfulness are extremely effective while recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. These are the processes of developing new neural networks for overall well-being, optimism, positivity, and self-awareness.
English Mountain Recovery
Excerpt: In the world of addiction recovery, meditation can help people establish a healthy balance that supports sobriety. Here are six types of meditation you can try.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Excerpt: Ready to take your recovery from alcohol and drug addiction to a whole new level? Practice being mindful with these tried-and-true activities recommended by recovery expert and author Beverly Conyers—they might be just what you’re looking for.
Headspace
Excerpt: Eighteen months ago, two things happened: I went to rehab (for the third time) and I began to meditate every day, as though my life depended on it (it did).