Saint Francis de Sales famously said, “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.” This is especially true for individuals in recovery. But what exactly does meditation look like in recovery? The answer is that it can look many different ways, but, more importantly, it often looks like an important part of a successful recovery.
Better Understanding Addiction and Mental Illness
Addiction and mental illness affect millions of people every day. But what exactly are co-occurring disorders? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Co-occurring conditions are mental disorders or other health conditions that a person has at the same time… People who have substance use disorders often have other mental disorders. Common risk factors related to a person’s genes, individual characteristics, social environment, and other life circumstances can contribute to both substance use and other mental disorders.”
Many people don’t realize just how many people are affected by co-occurring issues of addiction and mental health. According to NIDA, “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders… Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses. Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.” This is also why being able to spot the signs and symptoms of mental illness can be so crucial.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction and Mental Illness
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction and/or mental illness are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Often, people minimize addiction and/or mental illness or even falsely categorize it. However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are serious and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. Meditation can help.
What Does Meditation Look Like in Recovery?
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Originally, it was solely utilized for spiritual or religious purposes, but more recently, it has made its way into the the realm of recovery.
Meditation offers a myriad of benefits. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency.” Meditation also works well with other more “traditional” modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
What Does Meditation and Other Modalities Look like in Recovery?
CBT can be particularly effective because, like meditation, it helps to get to the underlying issues of addiction. Many people don’t realize that addiction is about much more than simply picking up the drink or the drug. It is about what leads one to pick up that drink or drug. That is why many people often say “It’s as much about the thinking as it is the drinking.”
CBT can be very effective because it makes the client an integral part of the process. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns.” Meditation also works well with yoga therapy.
What Does Meditation and Other Holistic Healing Methods Look like in Recovery?
Like meditation, yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. It has also been shown to have similar extraordinary benefits.
The benefits of yoga therapy are vast and varied. These benefits include gaining a sense of balance and serenity, increased strength and flexibility, and improved breathing.
The Importance of Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is also why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.
The peace and serenity of meditation and recovery are waiting. The key is to go out there and get it.
Many people are familiar with the addition of meditation to a recovery plan. However, it is important to understand that there are many types of meditation. Determining which type works best is up to the individual, but once one makes a choice, one should continue regular practice for long-term recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the benefits of meditation and other treatment modalities, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
