Mindfulness practice can be beneficial for a wide range of reasons. People understand mindfulness in different ways. However, in short, mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of them now. The goal is to focus on what we are doing and how we are feeling while not paying attention to what is happening around us. Although everyone possesses the ability to be mindful, not everyone practices mindfulness.
Although mindfulness can be beneficial for everyone, it is especially helpful for someone who is newly sober or in addiction treatment recovery. Mindfulness-based recovery techniques can help addicts in recovery decrease the power of cravings, improve communication with others, enhanced the ability to cope with stress (without turning distances), and learn new and safer relapse prevention techniques to use after treatment has ended.
What Is Mindfulness for Relapse Prevention?
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention is a type of addiction treatment program that focuses on ensuring adequate coping mechanisms are in place for the period after treatment ends. This is the time in which relapse is often the most common. Addiction is considered a chronic, relaxing disease, and as many as 60% of individuals who have completed an addiction treatment program will experience at least one incidence of relapse. There are many different types of relapse prevention techniques; however, mindfulness, when learned as a part of addiction treatment, is something that can be used as a lifelong means to reduce stress and reduce the power of relapse triggers.
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention helps someone who is newly sober develop the skills to use mindfulness to manage unhealthy reactions to relapse triggers. Mindfulness for relapse prevention teaches recovering addicts how to be present in the moment and consider the possible outcomes of a situation. It encourages them to realize there are multiple ways to react to a relapse trigger, some of which are beneficial, whereas others are harmful.
What Are Additional Relapse Prevention Methods?
Most drug and alcohol rehabs provide relapse prevention education as part of an individually designed addiction treatment program. There are many different relapse prevention tools one can use as part of their day-to-day lives to prevent relapse after completing an addiction treatment program at Cal Recovery Center.
Addiction is a disease unique to the individual. For this reason, it is sometimes necessary to try a range of treatment models and relapse prevention techniques before you find what works best for you. Some of the most common relapse prevention techniques include self-care skills, HALT (hungry, angry, alone, and tired) inventory practice, mindfulness meditation, grounding techniques, continued participation in peer support groups, deep breathing, understanding, and listing your triggers and having an emergency contact list. Keep in mind, this is a shortlist, and what works for you may be something entirely different or a combination of several different skills.
Relapse prevention education is a vital part of any comprehensive addiction treatment program. During therapy, you will learn and have the opportunity to practice a variety of skills in a safe and supported setting. Many addiction treatment programs also encourage ongoing participation in peer support groups and alumni programs as part of ongoing relapse prevention. Interacting with a group of like-minded individuals who support your sobriety and are focused on maintaining lasting recovery from drug and alcohol abuse can go a long way in preventing relapse.
If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, seeking help at an addiction treatment center like Cal Recovery Center is the first step on your journey to lasting recovery. To learn more about how our programs can help you get sober, contact our admissions team today.
