It can be difficult to maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol. Fortunately, mindfulness meditation can help people remain sober. When people take care of their minds, bodies, and spirits, they can make better choices. Moreover, holistic care options such as mindfulness meditation provide a desirable route to recovery for those who prefer a more natural approach. Moving forward with Avalon Malibu’s holistic treatment in Malibu, California, can help people recover using holistic methods, which facilitate long-term sobriety.
The Challenges of Prolonged Substance Use
Substance abuse can wreak havoc on an individual’s mental and physical health. If a person misuses harmful substances for a prolonged period, they may put themselves at an increased risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD). With SUD, a person loses their ability to manage their addictive behaviors.
If SUD is left unaddressed, an individual may begin to experience relationship problems. They may struggle to meet the requirements of their workplace or begin to experience academic challenges. Every aspect of a person’s life can be affected, which can also impact their future.
When a person’s life begins to spiral out of control, they may attempt to discontinue drugs and alcohol. However, withdrawal symptoms can occur once an individual stops using these substances. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, life-threatening, leaving one feeling trapped in their cycle of addiction.
The Importance of Staying Sober
Drugs and alcohol can rob an individual’s sense of self-worth, peace, and stability. Although it can be difficult for some individuals to discontinue substance use, abstaining from drugs and alcohol is the best choice. Avoiding addictive substances can greatly improve a person’s overall well-being.
When an individual stops using addictive substances, they may begin to notice more balance in their life. Rather than taking time for drugs and alcohol, with treatment, one may begin to dedicate time to their hobbies, personal goals, and loved ones. Staying sober can improve one’s mood, clear one’s mind, and enhance one’s mental well-being.
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), mindfulness meditation can be defined as various practices that help individuals focus on the present moment. Meditative practices originated many thousands of years ago in Eastern cultures.
Many people find that meditation calms their minds and enhances their overall well-being. Mindfulness meditative practices also pose little to no risks of side effects or adverse events. In studies reported by NCCIH, researchers found that mindfulness meditation practices were not more risky than receiving no treatment at all.
The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation for Substance Use Disorder
Withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol, nicotine, or opioid use can make a person feel stuck in the cycle of addiction. Many people feel intense distress related to their unmanaged addiction. This can often leave them feeling isolated and overwhelmed by their condition.
Fortunately, mindfulness training is an effective approach for SUD. Unique holistic techniques can aid in relapse prevention. When cravings come to the surface, mindfulness practices can help a person sort their experience of craving into its affective, cognitive, and sensorial elements. In so doing, the transitory nature of craving is targeted, and the individual may begin to notice how substance cravings lead to substance use.
Substance abuse is often linked with co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Mindfulness meditation significantly reduces anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. Meditative practices can also decrease pain and discomfort associated with withdrawal from harmful substances. Additional mindfulness meditation benefits include the following:
- Enhanced quality of sleep
- Improved weight control
- Stabilized mood
- Improved memory and mental clarity
- Greater emotional intelligence
- Improved cardiovascular health
Mindfulness Meditation Techniques
As we’ve been discussing, those facing challenges with SUD can utilize mindfulness meditation techniques to find relief from their condition. Beneficial techniques commonly include body scanning, mindful breathing, and mindfulness of daily life events to ward off addictive behaviors. These practices strengthen self-regulatory capacity and help people gain greater control over their actions.
Moving Forward With Mindfulness Meditation at Avalon Malibu
While traditional treatment modalities can help manage the signs and symptoms of addiction, they often neglect the underlying mental, emotional, and social factors. Traditional therapies may fail at times to adequately address the deeper internal states that drive maladaptive behaviors.
Unmanaged SUD can lead to intense distress. Practicing mindfulness meditation at Avalon Malibu can help. Utilizing holistic techniques outside of treatment can also help a person better achieve stabilization, which leads to an improved quality of life.
Psychotherapies That Can Be Combined With Mindfulness Meditation
However, solely focusing on mindfulness meditation may not provide optimal results in treating addiction. Everyone deserves to heal, and it often takes a variety of therapies to achieve complete healing. Sometimes, combining psychotherapy with mindfulness meditation can further enhance an individual’s treatment progress. Doing so can also increase treatment efficacy and provide optimal results. Holistic psychotherapies that are effective in treating SUD at Avalon Malibu include the following:
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Couples and family therapy
- Group psychotherapy
At Avalon Malibu, we are committed to finding the best combination of resources for our clients. We are proud that our highly trained professional staff is diverse, representing a variety of specialties. We recognize that addiction and mental health problems take a toll on every aspect of an individual’s life. All of these aspects are considered in our highly personalized care plans that provide a deeply therapeutic experience. Unlike facilities that focus narrowly on 12-Step programs and pharmacology, an Eastern mindfulness model, or some other singular methodology, we offer a tailor-made treatment plan that combines all the elements you need. Moreover, we don’t while waste time on approaches that aren’t useful for you. Call us at (844) 857-5992 for support.Â
