Meditation in Addiction Treatment

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a serious health concern in the U.S. Researchers and medical professionals have continually worked to find viable solutions for those in need.¹ While there are a variety of techniques that may help people stop substance misuse, meditation for addiction treatment is becoming a common option.¹

Learn more about meditation and substance use, including:

• What is meditation?
• Benefits of meditation.
• Meditation exercises for addiction.
• Use of meditation in drug rehab programs.
• How to find a recovery program that offers meditation.

What is Meditation?

Meditation for addiction involves training and self-discipline to bring together the emotions and mind.¹ This allows you to experience your inner emotions without judgment.¹

During meditation or mindfulness, you take in experiences of the self and the world with openness and acceptance.¹ Mindfulness is a state of being but also something the participant must practice. Through the practice of mindfulness, it becomes more of your state of being.¹

Meditation involves paying close attention to your emotions and cognitive processes.² During this process, you practice non-judgment and non-reaction to whatever passes through while noting the various emotions and sensations you experience.²

Meditation has its roots in ancient spiritual traditions, especially Buddhism. When the practice of mindfulness came to the West, it, in some ways, merged with medicine and psychology.²

How Does Meditation Work?

Meditation is when you pay attention to the internal and external stimuli that occur moment by moment and accept them without judgment.³ There are 2 components of mindfulness that work together. These are as follows:

• Focused Attention: This involves an awareness of and a strict focus on things that arise.¹ These include internal and external situations, such as strong emotions, external difficulties, and so on.¹
• Monitoring: After your attention is focused on the emotions and issues that are flowing from within and without, it’s important to monitor or attend to the physical feelings you might be experiencing.¹ This includes monitoring your breathing, your movements, and other parts of the body that may be affected. Also, focus should be on your thinking as well.¹

It’s important to keep your focus on the emotions and perceptions while also not fixating on them and pushing out distractions.¹ Over time, you will get more used to practicing meditation.¹

Goals of Meditation

People in substance addiction recovery often use meditation to overcome the challenges associated with a SUD.¹ One of the main goals of meditation in drug and alcohol rehab is to help you experience life presently. Some people tend to obsess or become preoccupied with what is occurring in their lives, while other people shut down and suppress the events. Through meditation, you can experience life in the moment.

Does Meditation Help in Addiction Treatment?

Meditation can substantially help you in addiction treatment by helping you to regulate your emotions.² Practicing mindfulness can decrease your impulsivity, a key factor in using drugs or alcohol.²

Other studies have shown that meditation techniques can decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase immune reactivity, both of which are instrumental in boosting your mood.²

Meditation techniques can be implemented in any type of addiction treatment program. Some of these treatments include inpatient rehab, outpatient addiction treatment programs, and continued aftercare treatment.

Benefits of Meditation for Drug & Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Meditation treatment is one component of a drug and alcohol addiction program. The benefits of adding this component to the recovery process may include the following:²

• Reduces cravings^.
• Less chance for relapse.
• Better coping skills when faced with craving discomfort.
• Enhanced emotional regulation.
• Less reactivity and judgment to addiction.

Of course, mindfulness is most effective when used with other therapy modules.

Does Insurance Cover Meditation in Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Health insurance coverage for addiction treatment may be available and depends on your specific insurance plan. However, the first step is to verify that the rehab facility accepts your insurance. You can contact an admissions navigator at , and they will verify your benefits. You can also check your benefits here or fill out the form below.

Find Rehabs that Offer Meditation Near You

If you think meditation for addiction treatment would be a good option for your recovery, you can look for a facility that accepts your insurance. At American Addiction Centers, we can help you find a facility that works with your insurance and offers meditation treatment. You can contact us directly at . If you prefer to search on your own for a facility, you can use this tool.

Other Proven Addiction Therapy Methods

Here is a list of therapy for addiction treatment programs that work well in the recovery process:

• Acupuncture for addiction treatment
• Art and music therapy in rehab
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction treatment
• Contingency management in rehab
• Dialectical behavioral therapy in rehab
• Family therapy for addiction treatment
• Group therapy for addiction treatment
• Matrix model for addiction treatment
• Motivational interviewing for addiction treatment
• Yoga for addiction treatment