Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions in the United States, affecting more than 13 million people aged 18 and older. More than 8 million are heavy drinkers or alcoholics. Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. Symptoms include a strong need or urge to use alcohol, despite consequences.
Alcoholics Anonymous says alcoholism is a threefold disease that includes:
- The body
A physical allergy that triggers craving. - The mind
A mental obsession that robs addicts of their will to resist the craving. - The spirit
A spiritual malady that often includes feelings of disconnectedness and discontent.
The mind, body and spirit must be effectively aligned to find healing, recovery and long-lasting sobriety. Mindful meditation is an effective way to get in touch with and align the mind, body and spirit. It’s a process that helps create new neural networks for self-observation, optimism and well-being. Meditation, when practiced regularly, also encourages you to live in the present moment and do everything with intention. A 2020 study noted spiritual meditation to stop drinking can be an effective complementary treatment option.
While meditation alone does not replace a comprehensive addiction treatment program with professional medical guidance, it can be a valuable holistic tool for overall wellness. It is proven to support addiction recovery by helping you feel calm, cope with triggers and avoid relapse.
Using meditation to stop drinking
There are many practices and applications of meditation for alcohol abuse. It teaches us that we don’t need to react to dispiriting thoughts and cravings. With the help of mindfulness-based therapies, people with addictive tendencies find they’re better able to tolerate and work through unwanted thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. In fact, one study concluded that sitting mindfully for just 11 minutes a day can significantly reduce alcohol consumption among at-risk drinkers.
Three addiction-specific meditation benefits
Here are three ways meditation can help you overcome your alcohol addiction:
- Improved self-control
When you increase your ability to accept and tolerate the present moment, you become more able to make needed, healthy lifestyle changes in your life. - Improved self-confidence
Addiction can often be traced back to trying to fulfill or fix a need that feels lacking. Meditation can help you identify these unmet needs, allowing you to let them go or overcome them. - Improved mental health
Together with a medically supervised rehabilitation program, meditation can help you overcome mental illnesses and addiction.
Oftentimes, the spiritual component of recovery is given less attention than the physical or mental aspects. Miramar Recovery Center offers a unique Spiritual Program that includes a mindfulness meditation technique for clients who desire a more in-depth spiritual journey throughout their recovery process. Our counselors help bring your spiritual development into balance with the mind and body, so you can improve your overall wellness as you move forward in your recovery journey.
Call at 949-691-5036 to learn how treatment with a spiritual emphasis can help you overcome your alcohol addiction. We offer a comprehensive addiction treatment program that includes holistic treatment options, including mindfulness meditation, recreational therapies, self-care activities, aftercare services and relapse prevention programs.
