If you or your loved one has an alcohol addiction, meditation can potentially help. You can do it in the comfort of your own home, and it can help ease the cravings for a drink. Meditation for alcohol addiction and other supplementary mindfulness-based interventions (MBI’s) are effective treatments for those suffering from alcohol addiction.
Studies show that mindfulness-based interventions reduce substance use and cravings by allowing a person to practice observation. A person struggling with cravings can learn to observe their cravings in a non-judgmental way, making good use of meditation for alcohol recovery or other addictions.
The Practice of Meditation in Our Lives
Meditation is a simple practice with numerous benefits. Meditation and other mindfulness-based interventions can help you relax and control your urges. However, many people mistakenly believe that meditation is a practice of complete silence, or that it is extremely difficult to do. In reality, meditation does not have to be completely silent, and it is surprisingly simple to begin. Meditating for as little as a few minutes is a great way to start.
Often, we feel that we must distract ourselves from mundane or painful parts of our lives in order to function. While this may seem like a good idea at first, distractions don’t do anything about the underlying pain or sadness we want to avoid. Meditation provides a direct approach to dealing with our pain, among other wonderful benefits.
Meditation invites you to stay focused on the present rather than letting your mind wander. It helps you focus on one moment and what is happening in your body and your surroundings. This practice helps your brain rewire its impulses and teaches you to pause before giving into a habit.
Benefits of Meditation for Alcohol Addiction
There are numerous benefits to meditation for alcoholics and those struggling with alcohol consumption. All you need to practice meditation is a relatively quiet space and a few minutes to yourself. Sitting in silence or following a guided meditation from an application or video may help get you started. Meditating for as little as minutes a day can produce remarkable results, including:
- Relieving stress
- Managing chronic pain
- Lowering heart rate
- Decreasing the risk of chronic disease
- Increasing cognitive functioning
Understanding Meditation for Alcohol Use Disorder
When you begin meditating, you’ll notice benefits, including a boost in productivity, increased focus, and reduced stress. All of these positive aspects will, in turn, help you gain control of your alcohol addiction.
Alcohol can be a tool to self-medicate, such as drinking to unwind or relax after a long day. Using meditation for alcohol abuse relief allows a person to experience many of the same self-medicating benefits without suffering the consequences of drinking. For example, people drink to unwind or relax after a long day. People also use alcohol to help relieve pain or uncomfortable feelings rather than working through them. A critical component of meditation is to learn to observe our thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way. It allows you the space to process those thoughts in a way that puts you as an observer rather than a participant.
If you have concerns about the severity of your own drinking habits, you can use the criteria for alcohol use disorder to get an objective view and determine your next steps. If you find that your behavior meets the criteria, it is wise to seek out professional alcohol rehab treatment to help break the cycle of addiction before it causes serious harm to your professional and personal life.
Finding Recovery Through Meditation Practices
Imagine a baseball game. Do you think the pitcher knows everything that is happening on the field? Doubtful. Then shift to the perspective of someone watching the game. Not only can you see the entire field, but you can see the small movements and decisions that each player makes.
Shifting from participant to observer gives you greater clarity during your daily decision-making processes. Using meditation for alcohol addiction can create a shift. Rather than just going with the daily flow of life, you’ll start to live it.
Recovery is a day-to-day process, much like meditation is a moment-to-moment process. As a result, your awareness of your daily actions and reactions will shift, making you less susceptible to the draw of alcohol.
Anxiety is an unwanted side effect of drinking. Meditation is one of the holistic tools to help you figure out how to stop anxiety after drinking alcohol. For many people, however, using meditation for alcoholism relief is not enough to break the cycle of addiction. This does not mean that such a person is beyond help, simply that they need help to overcome their addiction. Working with a holistic detox center or holistic alcohol rehab center provides a safe place to regain control and break patterns of addiction.
Meditation Therapy in Nashville, TN
At Integrative Life Center, meditation therapy is part of many of our recovery programs. ILC’s meditation program teaches people how to focus and control their thoughts as well as their emotions.
We are a holistic alcohol rehab center, meaning that our various treatment programs allow us to treat alcohol addiction in an integrative, comprehensive way. This approach enables our clients to heal their whole selves, not just treat the symptoms. Our alcohol addiction program includes:
- Education programs
- Family involvement
- Group and individual therapy
- Psychiatric care
- Motivational interviewing
- Massage therapy
- Self-help
- Transitional living opportunities
Contact us today at (615) 891-2226 to learn more about our alcohol addiction program or how meditation can help you in your recovery.
Take Action Against Compulsive Behaviors with the AUDIT Assessment
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-question assessment that screens for alcohol use disorder. Created by the World Health Organization (WHO), this tool allows individuals to honestly and effectively evaluate their alcohol use.
