Usually, the first step to alcoholism recovery is detoxification. This can occur in a rehab facility on an inpatient basis, or it can be the first goal in an outpatient rehab plan. In some cases, people who abuse alcohol without a dependency may be encouraged to try moderation rather than abstinence; however, if this proves ineffective, they too are encouraged to completely abstain from alcohol use.
People who meditate may also feel more aware of their thoughts, less bothered by unpleasant experiences and better able to control their emotions. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, or MBRP, was created in 2010 at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington. MBRP combines mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention skills to help individuals maintain sobriety, prevent relapse after having undergone initial SUDS treatment programs. Giving us the advantage of time and simultaneously the opportunity to make a different decision, possibly even a healthier decision. The even better news is that mindfulness training can change the brain, making people less reactive and better able to regulate their emotions.
How Do You Recover From Alcoholism?
These tips can help you get started on the road to recovery. Whether it’s the daily grind, a difficult relationship, a sudden calamity or the relentless onslaught of the 24/7 news cycle, life gets to all of us sometimes. We constantly feel overwhelmed, and before we know it we’re exploding from stress or retreating to sulk—or worse, turning to alcohol or other drugs to cope. Meditation and other mindfulness exercises work much the same way, and empower you to intentionally reshape your brain in ways that bring greater control, awareness, and happiness to your life. Their website abounds in free-access materials available for consultation and download. Peer-led meetings begin with 20 minutes of meditation.
Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on your needs. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Working to stop alcohol use to improve quality of life is addiction meditation the main treatment goal. However, it’s important to note that urge surfing is more of coping tool than a therapeutic practice. It’s something that can be passed along to a recovering alcoholic as a means of resisting relapse after returning to everyday life.
Benefits of Meditation for Addiction
This may mean making major changes to your social life, such as finding new things to do with your old drinking buddies—or even giving up those friends and finding new ones. Support can come from family members, friends, counselors, other recovering alcoholics, your healthcare providers, and people from your faith community. Whether you choose to tackle your alcohol addiction by going to rehab, getting therapy, or taking a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from alcohol addiction or abuse is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance.