Treating addiction has many methods among them is meditation
When we talk of medication normally the very first thing that comes into our mind is the natural experience of inner peace. When one is in problems they will always be restless in the mind. The application of meditation gives natural medicine and the experience of calmness. Calmness is a natural tranquility that makes us forget about our problems and with a quiet mind we have the positive will to manage our emotions and being able to effectively deliver on our assignments. To help us understand this discussion well it will be very important that we define certain terms as we progress.
Meditation is a practice which has been associated with the eastern tradition for a long time but is currently present in almost every world culture in some form. Traditionally it was linked to the spiritual practices of some communities in India, China, Japan, and other Eastern cultures. Nonetheless currently the western version of meditation is majorly more focused on relaxation and stress reduction. Methods of meditation are wide and diversified in many ways.
- There are thousands of specific meditation practices. Some focus on a quieting and clearing of the mind to experience a deep sense of presence in silence and connection to the spiritual world.
- Others bring the mind’s focus to a single, specific thought or objective. This practice is self-guided and can involve the use of music, chant, breathing techniques, specific postures, or focus on a visualization or external image.
This method (meditation) of administering addiction treatment has been medically proven to be effective in reducing the rate of substance abuse and relapse in many settings. In addition to this the changes in thought processes and brain function which come with meditation is convincing scientists of the biological addiction process.
While appreciating the use of conventional treatment for addiction it important to take into account that meditations like methadone also has a significant role in reducing withdrawal effects and craving for some individuals though this may sometimes cause undesirable side effects. Anyway depending on the individual needs and personality, conventional treatments might be limited in their short- and long-term effectiveness, beyond one’s available financial resources, inconvenient or inaccessible, in opposition to personal beliefs or values, or otherwise dissatisfying. For these individuals, meditation may offer either an alternative or complementary approach to improve the odds of success in treating addiction.
The spiritual and self-directed aspects of meditation may be appealing to certain individuals, increasing the effectiveness of this approach to addiction treatment. One 2003 study of drug users noted that meditation and other complementary therapies were used more often and considered effective by individuals with higher education, lower self-perceptions of their health, and access to a regular doctor.
In addition, the mindfulness that accompanies meditation has shown to be more effective than behavioral strategies that encouraged avoiding thoughts of substance use. Such thoughts inevitably surface in recovery, and meditation may offer a method for awareness and acceptance of these thoughts. This, in turn, may limit the transformation of these thoughts into the action of substance use.
While studying the use of meditation in the correctional facilities it was established that prison population support this idea and there was a decrease in alcohol use among the inmates who incorporated Vipassana meditation, a mindfulness form of meditation that focuses on acceptance of unwanted thoughts.
The literature on using meditation for addiction most often describes the Vipassana type of meditation. In Vipassana meditation, one remains objective and does not attempt to deny the thoughts related to addiction but instead when a thought or craving to use arises, Vipassana meditation encourages one to observe and acknowledge the presence of the thought while trying not to associate with it much. In this way, one can accept the reality of such thoughts while learning to refocus energy elsewhere. This type of meditation is much appreciated by many because it eliminates blame and stigmatization related to the addictive thought process but still acknowledging its reality.
- Using Vipassana meditation for addiction would require the following:
- Finding a quiet place without distractions
- At least 20-30 minutes of dedicated time
- Positioning (sitting) the patient on a chair or on the floor holding the head and back straight, in a comfortable position with eyes closed.
Remember that this is a mind-full form of meditation intended to ensure the body sensations and thoughts are activated and so if arose the need of shifting or moving then it should be done with an awareness of the sensation and action of the movement. Vipassana meditation is the act of watching what your body and mind are experiencing without over identifying or reacting to that experience. This is facilitated by paying attention to one’s breath, without trying to control or judge it. The period of meditation is an exercise in watching in this way, without judging or reacting to the breath, or thoughts or feelings. Through this practice, one comes to accept that thoughts and feelings related to addictive cravings will arise and by watching, they can be acknowledged and released removing their power. Your ability to successfully maintain a mind-full state will increase with daily meditation practice.
From the narratives discussed medication is one of the methods you may want to use in treating your addiction problem however before you do this, it will be important that:
- It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a meditation or other complementary medicine program.
- This is especially important if you are receiving allopathic addiction treatment, or if you have a respiratory, heart or other health condition.
- In addition, prior to beginning meditation, discuss the benefits, limitations and any possible risks with your psychologist or other mental health care provider.
Having looked at medication as possible way of treating addiction let us take a moment and look into addiction briefly to have a better understanding of this whole process. Addiction is defined as a physical and psychological dependency on a substance or behavior. Ordinarily it is believed that addiction rotated a round alcohol or drug abuse but it can also take the form of a compulsion to smoke, engagement in sexual activities or gambling. As a matter of facts nearly all behaviors can become addictive take for example internet, phone or other technology oriented devices used in today’s society. Whatever the form it take addiction can lead to profound consequences in almost all areas of life, because of the dangers it is important that treatment is sought in good time before it is too late.
Finally as we address the treatment of addiction, we have seen that medication can be very helpful but this is just one method and in all methods there will be great need of the involvement of an experienced medical expert to give the much needed medical professional advice. This is a service that you can only get at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. A facility founded by doctor Dalal Akoury. A visit to this facility would be one of the best decision you will make because your addiction problem will be eliminated in the most efficient way and with a team of experts who will be focusing on among other treatment means Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE
