Is Mindfulness Practice Helpful in Recovery?

The Benefits Of Mindfulness In Recovery

Table of Contents

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment. This nonjudgmental, accepting attitude fosters self-compassion and opens up the possibility for change which is important and necessary in recovery. When we are able to be present with our thoughts and feelings, we can begin to understand them better and make choices about how to respond to them. 

When facing addiction, you are battling with various forces that threaten your well-being. Mindfulness addiction treatment helps you overcome your addiction in a safe, effective, and proven way. Benefits of mindfulness for treating addiction include:

  • Mindfulness addiction treatment helps you overcome your addiction in a safe, effective, and proven way.
  • Reduces Frequency of Depression
  • Reduce Relapse
  • Reduce Stress
  • Separating Thoughts from Reality
  • Increased Compassion

What are the benefits of Mindfulness?

Mindfulness has many benefits, some of which include reducing stress, improving mood, promoting well-being, and increasing communication skills. For people in recovery, mindfulness can provide a sense of calm and peace during times of stress and temptation. It can also help to build self-esteem and self-compassion. 

Mindfulness can be practiced in many different ways, such as through meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, journaling, or simply paying attention to your thoughts and feelings throughout the day. The key is to find a way that works for you and that you can commit to doing it on a regular basis.

Reduce Frequencies of Depression

Many people seeking treatment for a substance use problem also have mental health issues like depression. Mindfulness can help you overcome this mental state without dangerous drugs or risky behavior.

Reduce Relapse

Substance use disorders are difficult to overcome because your mental health has become dependent on the substance. Your higher reasoning becomes impaired. Those suffering from a substance use disorder find that mindfulness and meditation gradually reshape the formation of their brain and thus their thinking.

Reduce Stress

Substance use disorders often cause you to experience immense stress when not consuming the drug. Mindfulness-based stress reduction allows your mind to strengthen the connection between your prefrontal cortex and other areas of your brain to improve logical thinking and avoid bad decisions. Thus, this treatment can help with smoking cessation or the usage of other substances.

Separating Thoughts from Reality

Your thoughts are just that: thoughts. You are not your thoughts, and thoughts are not reality. Practicing research-supported mindfulness evaluates self-critical thoughts and reframes them as something that can be thrown out instead of latched onto.

Increased Compassion

Compassion is helpful when dealing with a substance use disorder for a few reasons. First of all, you are able to connect with others who are also going through treatment more easily. Secondly, you are able to have more compassion for yourself when practicing mindfulness.

Practice Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

If done correctly with behavioral therapy and counseling, mindfulness can help reduce relapses. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention combines a range of therapies and modern science to prevent reoccurring episodes of anxiety, depression, physical pain, and other symptoms caused by addictive behaviors.

This mindfulness-based cognitive therapy includes:

  • Trigger and cravings awareness
  • Meditation and body scan techniques
  • Detecting when you are on autopilot
  • Daily life mindfulness practice and improved mental health
  • Mindfulness for high-risk situations that cause relapse
  • Be aware of automatic pilot and relapse dangers
  • Awareness of triggers and cravings
  • Accepting the present moment and responding appropriately
  • Ability to understand how thoughts affect chances of relapse
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction
  • Changing exercise, lifestyle, and habits to promote healthy, drug-free living
  • Having social support in place to continue your mindfulness
  • Social support and keeping your mindfulness practice going

The research is clear. Practicing mindfulness and overcoming addiction go hand in hand. If you or your loved one are suffering from substance abuse or mental health issues, it’s time to seek treatment.

Reach out to our friendly team at The Nestled Recovery to learn more about our groundbreaking and effective mindfulness training. Our proven approach helps you use meditation, mindfulness exercises, and traditional treatment to manage stress, eliminate drug use, and improve your everyday life.

Mindfulness Based Treatment In Las Vegas

If you are struggling with addiction, know that you are not alone. There is help available, and mindfulness is one tool that can assist you in your journey toward recovery. Give mindfulness a try… Read more about our substance, specific treatment protocols here:

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