Veterans and Mindfulness-Based Treatment

Family Therapy and Addiction: Relationships and Supporting Recovery

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Mindfulness-based treatment is a powerful tool for healing and recovery from substance abuse and mental health issues. Using modalities such as art therapy, yoga, and meditation, the mindfulness-based treatment promotes inner and outer well-being by enhancing a person’s awareness of their thoughts and feelings and increasing one’s ability to stay in the present moment.

Veterans in particular struggle with high rates of PTSD and addiction as a result of their military service and can benefit tremendously from mindfulness-based treatment. There have been several studies conducted on the effectiveness of using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques to treat veterans with PTSD, all of them with positive results. 

What Are Mindfulness-Based Interventions?

Mindfulness-based interventions have seen a rapid rise in popularity, both in terms of use and research. Yet, military Veterans are currently underrepresented when it comes to rigorous randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of these methods. Furthermore, existing literature is largely not applicable to female or non-white ex-service members due to their omission from studies conducted so far. Veterans can benefit from mindfulness-based interventions which can help to prevent panic attacks and extreme emotional swings which can occur as a symptom of PTSD.

Mindfullness Based Interventions for Veterans

Mindfulness-Based Treatment vs Psychotherapy For Veterans 

Mindfulness-based treatment offers a gentle approach that does not require veterans to delve into painful or traumatic memories. People with PTSD generally wish to avoid being triggered and may not be ready to face heavy issues right away, which is where mindfulness-based treatment can be very useful. Although mindfulness-based treatments and therapies are not meant to replace evidence-based psychotherapies or trauma-informed treatment, they can help people ease people into the healing process and begin to experience relief right away.

Long-Term Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Treatment 

Another important benefit of mindfulness-based treatment is that it helps veterans cultivate tools they can continue to use once they graduate from a rehab program. Learning healthy ways to self-regulate the moment is an important life skill that promotes long-term recovery and can help veterans manage and reduce symptoms of PTSD, such as hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depression

Final Thoughts On Veterans and Mindfulness Practices

At Nestled Recovery, we have a unique, holistic approach to addiction treatment and long-term recovery from substance use disorders. You can expect to receive professional, trauma-informed care in our beautiful, state-of-the-art facility while learning how to incorporate mindfulness into your healing journey. Using the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, we consider the entire person: mind, body, and spirit, creating tailored treatment plans with a number of experiential therapies and psychotherapies to choose from, with sensitivity to each person’s unique background and circumstances. If you or a loved one are struggling with an alcohol abuse disorder or another substance use disorder, contact us today. 

Sources:

https://www.research.va.gov/currents/1218-Mindfulness-and-PTSD.cfm

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25397818/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S174438812031149X

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