Meditation is an activity that is known to promote a sense of calm and relaxation of the mind. Factors that contribute to addiction are the opposite of that. Because meditation is so useful in helping calm the mind, it is often used as an adjunct treatment to others when treating addiction. Experts at centers like http://oceansrecovery.com/ will say that meditation in conjunction with other therapies and treatments can significantly help in the support of addiction treatment. Learn more about that here.
How Does Meditation Help With Addiction?
Meditation is known by millions to help calm the mind and promote a sense of balance and wellness. In recent years, more and more Americans have been using it as a means of relaxing. Meditation rates in the United States went from 4.1 percent to 14.2 percent between 2012 and 2017. It even increased in children from 0.6 percent to 5.4 percent.
The increase in the use of meditation for general health and wellness is due to its positive effects and benefits. It works. That is because when one meditates, brain chemistry changes and the act of calming the brain provides true benefits.
When it comes to substance use disorders and addiction, one study looked at the impact of meditation on addiction. It found that addiction was fueled by a brain chemistry connection that deregulated certain neural components to produce a reward effect in the brain. When one is in treatment, or in recovery and hoping to prevent relapse, meditation can help to provide that same reward that the substance formerly used did.
Meditation does produce a dopamine impact that substance use or alcohol does. It isn’t the same kind of dopamine impact that an opioid or alcoholic binge can provide, but it is a healthier one. It is also a longer-lasting one.
When used for substance abuse treatment, it also reduces anxiety, depression, stress, concentration, and improves mood. It can help to reduce PTSD, improve creativity, and improve overall emotional health. Other areas of life can be improved, including focus and academic performance.
Meditation and Withdrawal
Another important benefit of meditation with substance use is that it can relieve symptoms of withdrawal. It grounds someone, and it helps to calm the neural pathways that induce anxiety and worry.
The key concept of meditation is that it is used to produce a sense of mindfulness which is a sense of peace at the moment. That is why it is so effective in helping someone through withdrawal. When a craving arrives, meditation can help to offset the anxiety that is accompanying that. It is more than just finding something else to do to avoid the substance trigger. It will eliminate a lot of the emotional unbalance that comes with the substance trigger.
Seek Emotional Support
Meditation is a practice that a lot of people think sounds difficult to do. But it is not. It only takes a few minutes to learn, and you can find the way to do it your way. Experts such as http://oceansrecovery.com/ will say that when used with support and treatment, meditation can be a wonderful tool in recovery. Talk to your support team today, or seek emotional support and begin the process of bringing more calm into your life with meditation.