Meditation Therapy Program: Healing from Addiction
When they think of addiction treatment, most people think of medical detox, behavioral counseling, and 12-step programs. However, various other treatment modalities are used as part of holistic substance abuse recovery. A meditation therapy program, for example, can help recovering addicts cope with drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In this article, we introduce you to the various types of meditation and talk about some of the benefits of a meditation therapy program as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.
What is meditation?
Meditation is the practice of certain techniques such as listening to your breath or chanting a mantra to detach your thoughts and focus your attention. The goal of meditation is to bring about inner calm and greater self-awareness. Studies have shown that a meditation therapy program can have a range of physiological and psychological benefits, such as slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, regulating the breathing pattern, reducing pain, and reducing depression and anxiety.
In terms of addiction recovery, a meditation therapy program induces relaxation, reduces stress, increases self-control, and enhances feelings of well-being and peace. For this reason, a meditation therapy program can assist someone with an addiction to cope with cravings and withdrawal symptoms and make recovery easier.
A meditation therapy program involves simple yet powerful techniques that have many health benefits. People who participate in a meditation therapy program experience a synchronization of the mind and body, resulting in improved mental health and overall better quality of life.
Types of meditation
A meditation therapy program may include various types of meditation, some of which are described here.
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing your mind on the present and experiencing what is happening at the moment. This type of meditation therapy program includes guided imagery and breathing techniques to reduce stress and relax the mind. The goal is to stop negative thoughts and direct your attention to the current environment and experience it with all your senses. A good example of a mindfulness meditation exercise is eating slowly, savoring the food with all your senses, and taking the time to truly enjoy a meal instead of gobbling down the food in a hurry while watching TV. Another example of a mindfulness meditation therapy program is focusing your attention deliberately on each part of your body from head to toe to gradually relax the whole body.
A Zen meditation therapy program is based on ancient Buddhist traditions that originated in China. This type of meditation therapy program involves concentrating the mind to bring about clarity of thought and efficiency of mental functioning. Zen meditation can be practiced by beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. The exercise includes sitting comfortably and observing your thoughts and feelings that float across your mind and letting them go. A Zen meditation therapy program can delve deep into your mind and tackle many deep-rooted issues that are often related to challenging conditions like an addiction.
A transcendental meditation therapy program encourages a restful state of mind and alleviates stress. It is relatively easy to learn and master but usually requires one-on-one personalized instruction. Transcendental meditation doesn’t take weeks or months to get the hang of. Most people experience the benefits of this meditation therapy program within days and notice relief from overwhelming thoughts. The process involves going beyond surface awareness and transcending to a deeper inner state. This helps reduce conflicting thoughts and calms the mind, which is useful for people dealing with substance abuse.
Benefits of a meditation therapy program during addiction recovery
Overcoming a substance use disorder is one of the most challenging things a person will do in their lifetime. A meditation therapy program can help recovering addicts make the transition to sober living. Some of the benefits of a meditation therapy program in addiction recovery include:
- Reduced stress
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Improved mood
- Better focus, concentration, and attention
- Enhanced emotional stability
- Reduced insomnia
By increasing focus and concentration and improving mood, a meditation therapy program can help people remain motivated and engaged with addiction treatment. It is also useful in helping recovering addicts cope with withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and depression. By participating in a meditation therapy program, recovering addicts can learn to regain control over impulsive behaviors and thereby reduce the risk of relapse. Meditation provides a calming and grounding influence on the brain. A meditation therapy program is, therefore, particularly effective in those suffering from a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental health conditions.
Another benefit of a meditation therapy program is that it leads to the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. This can help people coping with cravings and withdrawal symptoms because it numbs the effect of the “crash” that many recovering addicts experience during recovery.
Discover Recovery Meditation Therapy Program
Discover Recovery Treatment Center in Long Beach, Washington offers an effective meditation therapy program as part of a comprehensive and holistic addiction treatment plan. We are a leading Washington drug rehab staffed by a highly experienced clinical team of board-certified physicians with specialization in addiction medicine, masters level counselors, and registered nurses. Many of our staff members have themselves battled and overcome addiction and understand the importance of a holistic approach to recovery. We include a meditation therapy program as part of our individualized treatment planning for a range of addictions, including cocaine, heroin, meth, prescription opioids, and alcohol.
Our addiction recovery program is designed to help you regain control of your life. It is a customized program that includes multiple levels of care to meet your individual needs. The treatment typically begins with medical detox at our comfortable residential rehab facility in Washington. Most clients then move forward to a residential or inpatient rehab program that involves behavioral therapies and counseling as well as holistic therapies such as a meditation therapy program. We have a special program for young adults battling addiction that is optimized for millennials in recovery. Our experiential programs have been designed by experts to aid healing of the mind, body, and soul. At Discover Recovery, we understand that addiction recovery is a lifelong commitment. To this end, we offer an aftercare program to make the transition to sober living easier and to ensure lasting sobriety.
If you or a loved one could benefit from the meditation therapy program at Discover Recovery addiction treatment center in Washington, get in touch with us today to find out more about our holistic alcohol and drug rehab programs.
