You may not know this, but there’s one thing that works above all else for addiction recovery…
And it’s not a new drug or some experimental treatment you’ve never heard of. In fact, it’s an ancient practice that now has a rock-solid evidence base. We’re talking about combining mindfulness meditation and traditional therapy…
And there’s one thing you need to know about this approach before we dig in:
Approximately 75% of those who acquire an addiction will recover. However, what differentiates the people who get and stay clean from those who relapse has nothing to do with who you are or the treatment program you choose.
The secret ingredient? Mindfulness practices.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to Rewire Your Brain For Recovery With Mindfulness Meditation
- Why Science Is Combining Meditation and Therapy
- The Biggest Reasons Addiction Programs Are Adding Mindfulness Training
- Recovery Statistics that Will Blow Your Mind
- The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Mindfulness Meditation
How to Rewire Your Brain For Recovery With Mindfulness Meditation
Here’s something the average addiction recovery program won’t…
Your brain is actually physically rewiring itself every single day, and mindfulness meditation is a literal “personal trainer” for your brain recovery process.
Here’s what’s going on inside your head:
Mindfulness meditation strengthens the prefrontal cortex part of your brain (which is the part that’s responsible for decision making and impulse control) and quiets the amygdala (which is the part that goes off like an alarm system when you experience cravings and stress responses).
This is why more and more comprehensive addiction programs are offering mindfulness training in addition to traditional therapeutic treatment, including those at more targeted alcoholism treatment NJ facilities.
Think of it this way…
Therapy and counseling teach you what to do when a craving strikes. Mindfulness teaches you how to actually do it in the moment when your brain is shouting at you to consume substances.
It’s a seriously powerful combination, but here’s where it gets even more interesting. A recent systematic review of 54 randomized controlled trials found that mindfulness-based interventions for substance use disorders actually changed the way your brain is physically wired to respond to rewards and stress.
This resulted in significant decreases in substance use and craving.
Why Science Is Combining Meditation and Therapy
You may find this interesting about this whole mindfulness thing…
It’s not the new-age “fluff” you may think it is. The science is really solid.
Researchers have been studying this for years and what they’ve discovered will make you think twice about everything you thought was “go-to” about addiction recovery. Mindfulness based interventions not only help with cravings but actually change your brain structure.
Here’s what the studies have found:
Mindfulness meditation actually increases something called heart rate variability (HRV). While that might sound like boring science-speak, HRV is your body’s ability to manage stress without completely falling apart.
Turns out, people in recovery who are practicing mindfulness show a huge improvement in stress management compared to those who are not.
One study even found that those who were provided mindfulness training were nearly twice as likely to stop misusing opioids nine months later compared to people who received standard supportive therapy.
And mindfulness isn’t magic.
It’s simply training your brain in one skill: observing your thoughts and cravings and not automatically acting on them.
Think about it. How many times have you had a craving and acted on it before you even realized what you were doing? Mindfulness meditation actually creates a literal “space” or “pause” between the trigger and your response.
That pause? It’s where recovery happens.
The Biggest Reasons Addiction Programs Are Adding Mindfulness
You should know something about the addiction recovery world…
It’s evolving quickly.
Old-school “white knuckle” approaches to recovery just don’t work for most people. In fact, relapse rates for addiction treatment are around 40-60% which is similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
This is why effective recovery programs are now layering mindfulness practices on top of traditional therapy. They’re not replacing evidence-based treatments, they’re taking good things and making them better.
The most popular approaches right now include:
- Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) – this combines the best of cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness skills
- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) – this focuses more on restructuring how the reward system of your brain works
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – this leverages acceptance and mindfulness to help you live in alignment with your values
While each of these approaches is slightly different, each of them has one thing in common:
They teach you to “surf the wave” of cravings instead of getting wiped out by them.
Recovery Statistics That Will Blow Your Mind
Did you know something that may surprise you?
Most people believe that recovery is rare. They think of addiction as a death sentence or a life of constant struggle.
The reality is the exact opposite.
Studies have found that mindfulness-based interventions have an effect size of 0.27 for reducing substance use. This doesn’t sound like much but in the world of addiction treatment, it’s actually pretty significant.
Here’s the number that really matters, though:
Those who complete detox and recovery programs report a 68% success rate when they stick with their treatment plans. And those numbers improve even more when mindfulness is a part of that equation.
Perfection is not the key. Persistence is.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Mindfulness Meditation
Most people royally screw up mindfulness when they first start. Not to blame them, but there’s a lot of bad info out there.
Here are the top mistakes I see people make the most:
- Believing mindfulness means emptying your mind – Your mind isn’t supposed to go blank. The goal is to notice your thoughts and not get carried away by them.
- Only practicing during the good times – The real benefit comes when you practice when things suck. When you’re stressed, angry, craving substances, etc.
- Expecting instant results – Mindfulness is like a workout for your brain. You wouldn’t expect to get six-pack abs after one session, right?
- Practicing alone without professional support – While generally safe, those with trauma history should practice under the guidance of a qualified instructor who has an understanding of addiction recovery.
The truth is, mindfulness is most effective when it’s part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy, medical support, and ongoing recovery maintenance.
Finding the Right Program For You
Here’s the deal…
Addiction recovery is not one-size-fits-all. What works for your neighbor may not work for you and that’s completely okay.
If you’re interested in a program that uses mindfulness in addition to traditional therapy, look for:
- Licensed therapists trained in both addiction treatment and mindfulness practices
- Evidence-based programs such as MBRP or MORE
- Group therapy elements (group practice is power)
- Ongoing support after initial treatment ends
The most important thing? Begin where you are.
You do not need to be an “expert” in meditation practices to start recovery.
The Bottom Line
Pairing mindfulness with traditional therapy in addiction recovery isn’t just trendy. It’s scientifically backed and is producing real results.
The evidence is in. Those who learn mindfulness skills in conjunction with traditional therapy have better outcomes, lower relapse rates, and stronger coping skills for long-term recovery.
Keep in mind, though…
Recovery is a journey not a destination.
Mindfulness isn’t a cure-all, but it is a powerful tool that can help you stay clean and create a life worth living.
If you’re just getting started on your recovery journey or you’re looking to enhance existing sobriety, consider adding some mindfulness practices to your toolbox.
The best time to start? Right now.
