It is now common for drug rehab centers to embrace the holistic health movement. Many of them are offering alternative or holistic therapies. One of the most popular is meditation. This has philosophies that are similar to those taught during drug rehab. They both emphasize the value of being in the present moment. Meditation is a good way to developmental focus. A person who is involved in meditation is never taught to push away or stop thoughts. Distracting thoughts are permitted to move on by. Drug rehab centers have successfully used meditation to help an addict accept the truth of their addiction. With both philosophies, the acknowledgment of what is actually happening is the only way to progress.
Compulsion
Meditation has been successfully incorporated into many drug rehab programs. One of the biggest struggles for a drug addict is compulsion and impulsiveness. Those who feel they have to do something are dealing with compulsion. They are unable to get this thought out of their mind. The desire is often too strong. Meditation has been able to teach addicts to change their thinking to be less reactive. It helps them to learn how to accept their impulsive thoughts as well as compulsive feelings and move past them.
Drug Rehab Spiritual Focus
Meditation goes well with the spiritual focus used for addiction recovery at many drug rehab centers. When an individual has more focus on developing a positive connection with a higher power, they focus less and less on negativity in their recovery. Meditation also encourages people to have greater self-awareness. This makes it possible for a recovering addict to develop a better sense of their body’s normal healthy sensations. These are things like a need for rest, signals for hunger as well as signs of distress, and more. Meditation provides a healthy way for a recovering addict to develop a sense of inner calm and peace that doesn’t require any substances.
Peace of Mind
When recovering addicts practice meditation, it provides them with an important new skill. They are able to use meditation in their life each day until they complete their treatment. It is something a recovering addict can do anywhere and at any time. Providing the opportunity to develop this skill is something a drug rehab center can easily get into their treatment program. Meditation is very basic and something beginners can benefit from practicing. Getting a little peace of mind is often priceless to a recovering drug addict.
Methods of Meditation
There are different types of meditation that are used successfully in rehab centers.
- Relaxation Meditation – This is a method of guided meditation that helps people relax different areas of their bodies.
- Mindfulness Meditation – This requires an individual to focus their attention on a single experience or single thought. It is a very common type of meditation. This is a method practiced in a quiet and peaceful setting. It lets recovering addicts feel free to let their thoughts flow freely and not be judged.
- Mantra Meditation – This involves a recovering addict repeating a safe word. It helps a person focus on a single thought. This also makes it possible for an addict to discover inner peace at the moment.
- Breathing Meditation – This is an excellent way for recovering addicts to handle anxiety attacks. It helps them regain control of their mind as well as control their heart rate, breathing, and more.
Overcoming Addictive Conditioning
When a recovering addict is meditating, they can acknowledge their urge to use drugs when it occurs. Their urge will crest like a wave. This is how the addict is taught to think about it. This urge is something to be expected and not something to make them feel shame. It is part of the recovery process. Meditation helps an addict monitor their urge. They will know when it increases or decreases and how to not give in to it. Meditative breathing is taught as a metaphorical surfboard. It makes it possible for an addict to ride on top of the urge and not be sucked into it. When this is done regularly, resisting urges becomes a normal part of a recovering addict’s life.
Inner Calm
The root of all meditative practices is a desire for inner calm. This makes it fit well with a recovering addict’s central goals. It is a psychological distance between having a desire to do drugs and actually doing them. It helps to recover addicts to cultivate contentment and establish peace without the use of drugs.
Many drug rehab programs have started to incorporate meditation into their treatment programs. It isn’t meant to be a standalone treatment. Meditation is intended to be a complementary treatment. If you are ready to get started, you can call us today at 123-456-7890. Call us now. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day at 833-610-1174.