Meditation | Benefits & How It’s Used

Substance abuse is often driven by complex emotions, stressful situations, and intense cravings that require skills and strategies to manage. One of the most important components of addiction treatment is developing healthy coping mechanisms that you can maintain and use throughout your recovery journey.

Meditation is a heightened state of awareness and inner peace that can help to improve mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Incorporating meditation into your lifestyle can offer a consistent and effective way to deal with any addiction-related challenges that you encounter. It’s an invaluable coping skill to help you remain calm and sober throughout the ups and downs of everyday life.

Meditation - woman meditating

What Is meditation?

Meditation is the practice of using certain techniques to clear and focus your mind, training attention and awareness to achieve a calm emotional state. There are many different types of meditation, many of which play a role in spiritual and cultural traditions.

Studies have found that meditation and relaxation techniques can reduce heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. It may also increase emotional awareness, helping individuals to discover and express repressed thoughts and feelings.

What Is Mindfulness Meditation?

Mindfulness meditation is a meditative practice involving focusing on the present moment and letting go of past and future concerns. It’s an evidence-based technique for relieving stress and pain and reducing anxiety, and it’s become an important tool for mental health self-help and professional treatment worldwide.

How can meditation support addiction recovery?

Meditation is a skill you can incorporate into your daily routine and practice wherever possible. Emotional distress, anxiety, and other negative mental states often trigger substance abuse. You may turn to drugs or alcohol to try to relax or to escape from reality temporarily. However, in the long run, substance abuse only worsens these feelings.

Developing alternative, healthy coping mechanisms for negative emotions is a key part of addiction recovery. Understanding the thoughts, feelings, and mental states that are more likely to lead to substance use helps you take preventative measures to stop a relapse from occurring. Meditation can help calm you in moments of anxiety and emotional distress and can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, helping you to avoid triggering addictive behaviour.

Life-long recovery is possible and achievable with the proper support and care. Combined with other treatment approaches, meditation can help you to cope with the challenges of recovery without turning back to drugs so you can stay sober for good.

What should I expect from a meditation session at Linwood House?

We incorporate meditation into our recovery programme. Offering group sessions with a qualified instructor, as well as meditative practices within group therapy workshops.

At first, you may find meditation difficult, and your mind may wander; however, this is perfectly normal – it is a skill that takes time to develop. We will always be ready to answer your questions or offer personal advice to help you refine the practice.

Meditation, motivation, and support

While meditation can play a key role in your recovery, it is a multifaceted process requiring different types of support.

Two other essential components of successful recovery are motivation and social support. Most people require caring, consistent support from loved ones, professionals, and others around them to get them through the most challenging times.

At Linwood House, our treatment programmes combine a variety of addiction therapies to offer the all-around treatment experience you require. We’ll be by your side during your inpatient rehab experience and offer a year’s free aftercare upon completion. We’re committed to your recovery success.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best type of meditation for addiction?

There are different types of meditation, and it will ultimately come down to personal preference. However, some types of meditation are more widespread in addiction treatment than others. In particular, scientists have explored the use of mindfulness meditation for addiction in numerous papers and studies, with promising results.

What are the eight rules of meditation?

The eight rules of meditation generally include:

Find a Quiet Space: Choose a peaceful environment free from distractions.
Sit Comfortably: Find a comfortable position that allows you to relax without falling asleep.
Set a Time Limit: Start with short sessions (5-10 minutes) and gradually increase as you become more comfortable.
Focus on Your Breath: Pay attention to your breathing, using it as an anchor to bring you back when your mind wanders.
Let Thoughts Come and Go: Acknowledge your thoughts without judgement, allowing them to pass without engaging.
Be Patient: Understand that meditation is a practice that takes time to develop.
Practice Regularly: Aim for consistency by establishing a daily routine, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Close with Gratitude: At the end of your session, take a moment to appreciate the practice and yourself for dedicating that time.

Does Linwood House utilise meditation?

Yes, Linwood House incorporates meditation as part of its holistic treatment approach. Meditation is used to help clients enhance mindfulness, reduce stress, and promote emotional well-being during their recovery journey.