Mind-body medicine in addiction recovery

Addictions don’t appear out of nowhere and often manifest as a coping mechanism, or a way to feel better, numbing pain or relieving stress. Peer pressure or feelings of euphoria addiction meditation may also contribute to the development of addictions. Understanding the nature and reasons behind addiction is important in order to both identify and treat them.

Of the APF survey respondents, 75% reported emotional changes since the beginning of the pandemic, especially increased worry (62%), sadness (51%), fear (51%), and loneliness (42%). Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), noted, “These emotions increase the risk for relapse, and unfortunately, circumstances since the pandemic has made peer support, for instance in 12-step meetings and similar groups, much more difficult.” Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

What types of meditation can help with addiction recovery

Yet, work now needs to be done to understand the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of delivering MBIs in addiction treatment settings. Morgan is a mental health counselor who works alongside individuals of all backgrounds struggling with eating disorders. Morgan is freelance mental health and creative writer who regularly contributes to publications including, Psychology Today. The effects of formal meditation can be enhanced when incorporating its principles into the daily routine. That means paying attention to the present moment, practicing mindful empathy, and staying connected to the higher power you believe in.

• A prominent 2005 study by Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar showed that meditators had significantly more neural density, cortical thickness, and overall activity within their prefrontal cortexes.
• It is an excellent way to relax when you feel anxious or depressed, stabilize your mood, get more quality sleep, and take care of yourself.
• Improvements in attention and clarity of thinking may help keep your mind young.
• Meditators and non-meditators experienced the same causes of pain, but meditators showed a greater ability to cope with pain and even experienced a reduced sensation of pain.
• To increase the chance of a successful recovery and life of sobriety it is important to receive guidance from a reliable source.

We discuss the etiology of addiction and neurocognitive processes related to the development and maintenance of SUDs. We then explore evidence supporting use of MBIs for intervening in SUDs and preventing relapse. Finally, we provide clinical recommendations about how these therapeutic mechanisms might be applied to intervening in SUDs and preventing relapse.

Meditation and mindfulness for any mind, any mood, any goal

While there is promising research that mind-body treatments for addiction are effective, some of the research is contradictory. Meditation is a powerful yet simple technique with many health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety. 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.