Addiction treatment is a fundamental aspect in treating addiction and identifying the underlying factors that make individuals reliant on drugs and alcohol.
The process of addiction treatment is viewed as the standard treatment procedure comprising of detox treatment, and group therapy. This has made it possible to consider different avenues that ensure individuals have the right to access factors that enable consideration of various factors that understand several untruths.
Meditation therapy comprises of understanding holistic treatments and identifying ways of achieving the fundamental basis of understanding perspective characteristics of human interaction. Meditation aims to reduce stress and anxiety which is often present during addiction treatment. Patients who undergo treatment often require a reprieve either through meditative techniques to curb the PTSD that often comes during treatment.
Types of Meditation
There are several different types of meditation each with various forms and results. Each type of meditation has its benefits which maintain the same premise but have different results.
Meditation therapy seeks to offer psychotherapeutic treatment to patients by accessing their mental well-being and enabling them to heal from the trauma of addiction.
Meditation therapy has various distinct forms:
- Mindfulness meditation
This type of meditation employs the use of contemporary advancements in addiction treatment with ancient meditative techniques to help patients undergoing treatment for substance abuse. Mindful-based interventions aim in appealing to cognitive, emotional, and psychological processes to help curb cravings and reduce the misuse of substances by helping them be present during their healing. This meditation technique enables patients to become open-minded and receive treatment by making them aware of sensations and feelings that they may have. Mindfulness meditation also aims in combating feelings of unhappiness, which are one of the precursors of addiction.
- Concentrative meditation
This type of meditation involves focusing on a specific object by tuning out everything else to concentrate. Patients who undergo this type of meditation focus on managing their breathing and often engage in mantras or chants that will help them connect deeper with themselves.
- Spiritual meditation
This type of meditation focuses on a higher being, either God or the universe, and how this connects with an individual. Various spiritual faiths embrace this as a way to connect and identify their purpose in life.
The meditation process
Meditation therapy can be guided by a professional, or unguided. In addiction treatment, guided meditation is advised as the professional gives the patient the required pointers they need for healing.
The meditation process requires a quiet and calm environment to allow the mind to wander off and thoughts to go on uninterrupted. Some calming music can be present in the background to prompt memory and feeling.
Avoiding distractions is fundamental in meditation therapy, and patients should find a suitable location for the therapy to work. Finding a comfortable spot is ideal for first-time meditation. The meditation process requires absolute concentration, where the patient closes their eyes and focus on an object or substance that will help them get to a point of understanding.
The breathing exercises follow next where deep breathing is exercised. This helps patients open up emotionally and mentally allowing the meditation process to move through them.
Meditation therapy prompts the feel-good hormone, which makes the individual happy and relaxed. The brain’s neurotransmitters are regulated and balanced during therapy, changing the mood and heightening energy levels.
Benefits of Meditation
There are several benefits of meditation that help the patient in their journey towards wholesome fulfillment:
- Reduces depression
Addiction is often coupled with high depressive tendencies which make the individual focus on substance abuse as a means of escape. Depression comes in many forms which alienate the individual’s capability to choose habits that are beneficial to them. As a result, there are increased anxiety levels which increase substance abuse. Meditation helps the individual connect with their inner emotions and mental state, and understand the reason behind their addiction.
- Improves immune system
Addiction greatly compromises the immune system. Meditative habits are known to repair this by helping the individual refrain from harmful substances, therefore salvaging what is left after the addiction. Individuals have reported a positive impact on the general health of the body after meditation.
- Better management of withdrawal symptoms
Meditation calms down the patient by making them conscious of their breathing and helping them cope with unfelt emotions. This in turn eases the mind, making the effects of withdrawal lessen drastically.
- Reduces stress levels
During meditation, the stress levels are reduced. Meditation therapy works by reducing cortisol levels responsible for stress in the brain. Patients have reported a relaxed and Zen state after meditation, which helps them in their treatment process.
- Low relapse risk
The risk of relapse in addiction treatment is hugely reduced with meditation. This therapy targets attention to self and involves the necessary muscles and emotions that make individuals aware of how harmful their addictive processes were. Therefore, patients are less likely to go back to substance abuse, as they are aware of the problem areas that drove them towards addiction.
- Enhanced brain activity
Meditation therapy increases brain activity making the individual have better coping and decision-making skills. Patients can think rationally and become intentional with their thoughts and behaviors. There is an enhancement of better cognitive skills and focus which heightens performance in all areas of one’s life. This in turn helps them become aware of their actions and stay on track with their recovery process.
The meditative process can be employed by simple steps and processes that drive the individual to embrace the process. Taking time off for meditation encourages responsibility and sensitizes the individual towards healthier and beneficial processes. Each meditation session will require concentration, and finding the right focus will help in the whole process.
Most meditations happen in the morning right after waking up. This is when an individual is centered and aware of themselves. The process should be effortless, and striving to check whether it is doing right will create unnecessary pressure on the individual.
Checking the progress after every meditation session is advised by professionals, to enable the individual to understand the feelings they experience. In meditation, the patient’s feelings are valid, and every emotion is considered a step in the right direction.