Meditation is a state of peacefulness and awareness one finds when the mind is silenced. This practice has been used throughout different cultures as early as 1500 BC. Although thought to be used in early Hindu practices and even Judaism, the form of meditation generally practiced today is credited to Chinese Buddhists. Meditation can be viewed as a quest for inner peace, acceptance, and awareness brought on by the seeking the best version of the self. It can be used in alcohol abuse treatment as a method for enhancing self-control, inner peace, and quality of life.

How Meditation in Alcohol Abuse Treatment Works

The goal of meditation is to be detached enough from the outside world to achieve peace within. An alcoholic has to separate themselves from their desire to consume alcohol, and meditation allows them to do so. By using meditation, recovering alcoholics can view their desires to drink from an outside perspective. Recognizing the distance between wanting to drink and actually participating in drinking brings about a sense of self-awareness and calm, which is beneficial to a recovering alcoholic.

Mindfulness meditation in alcohol recovery involves an individual focusing on the urge to drink to the extent of visualizing the urge as a wave that engulfs the entire body. This helps the recovering addict view urges as an expected natural occurrence, rather than something to feel shame for. The focus on this kind of meditation is to visualize the urge to drink without giving in to it, monitoring its every move.

The Spirituality of Meditation

It can be seen throughout history that meditation is used in religious teachings for spiritual purposes. Even the most renowned twelve step group encourages recognition and acceptance of a higher power. This idea that faith can help a recovering alcoholic is not a novel suggestion and is seen quite commonly throughout the addiction recovery realm.

Although meditation stems from religion, one does not have to be spiritual to benefit from the advantages of practicing meditation. While many view meditation as an act of prayer, it can also be used to practice mindfulness. Since meditation is now also viewed as a secular practice, it has been proven through research that it has the potential to help prevent relapse in recovering individuals.

Implementing Meditation with Alcohol Abuse Treatment

Although meditation is a useful tool throughout addiction recovery, its use alone does not cure one of addiction. Treatment is always the best option to overcome any addiction, because of the guided care and support one receives. Additionally, treatment gives a recovering individual the needed knowledge of relapse prevention and sober skills to enter back into real-time without the crutch of alcohol or drugs. If you or a loved one is ready to learn how to practice meditation throughout alcohol abuse treatment, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center can help. We understand the difficulty of addiction and recovery and make sure that each patient that comes through our doors gets the specialized, intimate, and personal treatment plan to offer the best chance for recovery success.