Mindfulness-based treatment of addiction: current state of the field and envisioning the next wave of research PMC

Being mindful is about being present, increasing our awareness, and opening our eyes to the reality of now. We start a new diet or join a fitness club or enroll in a class, and before we know it our enthusiasm fades and the stress ramps up. Remember to be patient with yourself and practice these techniques with a lot of self-grace. Addiction recovery is not easy, and even if there are methods that can ease that challenge, it can take some getting used to.

• Addiction is often tied to uncomfortable feelings and memories, so facing them through meditation can be difficult.
• Although the authors did not include a formal search for “gray literature” related to MBI treatment of substance misuse, they noted that funnel plots and Egger’s test analyses suggested that their findings were not likely due to publication bias.
• We then discuss how mindfulness training intervenes in SUDs and prevents relapse, and review evidence of the mechanisms and efficacy of MBIs for intervening in substance use and preventing relapse.
• In this vein, studies should examine mindfulness not only as a technique in circumscribed interventions to prevent addiction relapse but also examine mindfulness as a long-term, sustainable health behavior that promotes addiction recovery.

Profound Benefits of Practicing Holistic Health

Consider the case of a man in partial remission from alcohol use disorder who has recently stopped drinking. After successfully abstaining from alcohol for over 2 months after realizing the negative impact his drinking had on his family and work, he attends a party with old friends, where he is overcome by craving and has a drinking lapse. He could interpret this lapse as the beginning of a downward spiral into his alcohol use habits, with attendant feelings of shame and hopelessness. Alternatively, he could use mindfulness to disengage from meditation for addiction this negative emotional state, arrest the automatic impulse and concomitant experience of craving, and then re-commit himself to recovery by contacting his 12-Step fellowship sponsor. Thus, mindfulness may help to prevent relapse by increasing awareness of high-risk situations, supporting positive hedonic tone, and preventing a singular lapse from becoming a full-blown relapse. Moreover, the Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention program at the University of Washington represents another successful merger of meditation and traditional therapy.

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Although it’s a helpful tool for managing stress through recovery, it’s not a replacement for treatment. You’ll still need to undergo professional treatment and support for long-term sobriety. You know yourself best, so if you need more than just mindfulness and meditation, feel free to explore other options.

Mindfulness as a relapse prevention strategy versus mindfulness as a vehicle for recovery

This heightened awareness is invaluable, enabling individuals to recognize triggers and patterns of addictive behavior, thereby fostering better self-control and decision-making. Meditation serves as a powerful tool in the journey towards overcoming addiction. It bestows an individual with the ability to navigate towards inner peace, emotional balance, and mental clarity amidst the turmoil addiction often brings. While it’s not a standalone solution, integrating regular meditation alongside professional treatment significantly enhances the prospect of recovery. It’s a lifelong journey, not a momentary decision, and with patience and consistency, meditation can play an instrumental role in breaking the chains of addiction. Always remember, the strength to conquer addiction lies within you, and with meditation, you learn to harness that power.

• Consider the case of a man in partial remission from alcohol use disorder who has recently stopped drinking.
• We constantly feel overwhelmed, and before we know it we’re exploding from stress or retreating to sulk—or worse, turning to alcohol or other drugs to cope.
• Being mindful is about being present, increasing our awareness, and opening our eyes to the reality of now.
• It bestows an individual with the ability to navigate towards inner peace, emotional balance, and mental clarity amidst the turmoil addiction often brings.

Other Proven Addiction Therapy Methods

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• Mindfulness is about being present in the moment and keeping yourself from dwelling on past or future problems.
• Through this technique, clients learn to consciously and adaptively respond to the urge to use substances rather than automatically reacting to appetitive cues in maladaptive ways.
• One of its primary benefits is in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, common hurdles in the journey toward sobriety.
• This is indeed a challenge, as MBIs with demonstrated efficacy in Stage II trials may fail to show effectiveness in Stage III and IV trials when delivered by community clinicians.