Over the course of the last few years, meditation has been regaining a place of popularity within our culture. Mindfulness, often linked with meditation, has also seen a huge resurgence as a pop culture reference, but it’s important to know that studies have been linked to the effectiveness of mindfulness. In fact, promising evidence has shown that mindfulness can be linked to better self-awareness and reduction of stress, as well as better sleep. ^[1]Frank, J.L., Reibel, D., Broderick, P. et al. The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Educator Stress and Well-Being: Results from a Pilot Study. Mindfulness 6, 208–216 (2015). … Continue reading Mindfulness sees its origins within several Eastern religions and spiritualities, including Buddhism.

You may have heard of the term mindfulness, or even seen it employed if you haven’t engaged in it yourself. However, what does it mean in connection to treating mental health disorders or people with addiction? Is mindfulness a trend? Understanding what mindfulness is and how it may be applied to addiction treatment can show that mindfulness isn’t just another pop culture term from California. Instead, it is a wellness practice that may positively impact the lives of people in recovery.

What Is Mindfulness and Where Does It Come From?

First, if you’re unfamiliar with the term and what it means, it’s important to start here and gain a better understanding of mindfulness and its sources. Mindfulness is often linked with meditation, in that both are personal and reflective. Mindfulness is a practice that focuses the individual on the present moment and what they are feeling and experiencing in the here and now. The goal is to do this without judgment or any kind of interpretation. You just want to be aware of what you are experiencing right now.

This can be incredibly difficult to do. We’re encouraged to take stock of our feelings, but always with the idea that we should be analyzing those feelings versus just spending time to recognize what we’re feeling. Instead of being reactive, mindfulness focuses on being totally aware and present. While this may not sound like much, consider how quickly we can get anxious or start wondering what may happen with a situation instead of taking in the world around us at that moment.

Mindfulness has deep roots in Buddhism. It’s actually one of the very fundamental beliefs in Buddhism. Called sati, it translates to something like awareness, and it’s the first of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. Another form of mindfulness, samma-sati is correct awareness, and it is the seventh aspect among the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is what releases people from the birth and rebirth cycle and leads them to nirvana. These are the fundamental teachings of Buddhism at their most basic level.

Why Is Mindfulness Trending in LA?

LA isn’t just a big city. With nearly 4 million people, ^[2]USCB (2020). Los Angeles city, California. (n.d.). US Census Bureau QuickFacts. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/losangelescitycalifornia Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, with New York being the first. Such a large city is host to a fast-paced lifestyle that can leave many feeling lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic left many people with mental health concerns. With these surging issues, seeking comfort by any means seems obvious.

But why mindfulness? For one, mindfulness is a somewhat easy practice to incorporate into daily life. By taking a few moments each day for a mindfulness practice, a person can gain back perspective in their life. Over time, they may eliminate reactive behavior and instead acquire peace through responsive behaviors.

Why the Beginning Stages of Recovery Are Difficult

Addiction affects not only the body, but also the mind. While a person with addiction recovers from the physical withdrawal of substances, they also must recover from the mental symptoms of withdrawal. Symptoms such as emotional swings, difficulty concentrating, and increased anxiety without the substances that a person has been using will likely increase. This is one of the major reasons why the early stages of recovery can be so difficult for a person with addiction.

Because many of these issues are so challenging to manage, without proper attention and care, many people relapse. This is why a treatment facility can be beneficial for someone recovering from addiction. Reputable facilities will recognize the signs and symptoms of these difficulties and can help people regulate their heavy minds during this time. One of the best ways to do this is through counseling and therapy, and also a regular practice of mindfulness during treatment.

How Mindfulness Can Help With Addiction and Mental Health Issues

Mindfulness may seem like little more than the newest and hottest trend around, especially for someone recovering from addiction, but this just isn’t true. Mindfulness has been integrated into many research-backed forms of therapy including stress reduction therapy and cognitive therapy. There are many ways mindfulness can help with addiction and mental health issues. The integration of mindfulness into different forms of therapy often shows high levels of success. In fact, yoga and meditation have shown significant positive results when used as a part of treatment for depression and anxiety. ^[5]Saeed SA, Cunningham K, Bloch RM. (2019). Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Benefits of Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation. Am Fam Physician 99(10):620-627. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from … Continue reading

Some of these disorders include:

Because of these co-occurring disorders, treating the underlying mental health concern is vital to helping a person be successful in their recovery. Mental health concerns typically emerge during adolescence. While the brain continues to develop and adapt, the last behaviors to mature are those of impulse control and decision making. Therefore, those with early signs of mental health disorders are significantly more likely to develop substance abuse and addiction issues later in life. ^[8]NIDA, (2021). The Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness. NIDA Publication. Retrieved May 25, 2022 from … Continue reading

What Is Mindfulness in Recovery?

With so many negative feelings and thoughts floating around in the heads of those people suffering drug addiction, taking the time to train our bodies and minds to quiet those thoughts can be a positive step toward recovery. Often these negative feelings are what lead to a relapse. When facing a trigger and struggling with impulse control, those practicing mindfulness can recognize that while these things are outside their control, the choices they make are not.

With more traditional forms of addiction treatment, mindfulness in addiction rehab can be incorporated to enhance the success of a program. One of the most amazing things that mindfulness can do is it can give a person a moment to check in with themselves and recognize what’s happening in their surroundings that’s causing them distress. When they can take a moment to do that, they can better recognize an issue before it turns into a relapse situation.

Mindfulness gives the power back to those in recovery so that they can feel like they’re in control of their lives again. It can help them to release that helplessness and grow to become more thoughtful and responsive instead of internalizing all the negativity. This brand of self-empowerment can give people the tools they need to help them to navigate through difficult situations they may find themselves in later.

How to Practice Mindfulness in Recovery

Integration of mindfulness during the recovery process can greatly improve the effectiveness of a treatment program. As mindfulness focuses on remaining in the moment and responding to stimuli instead of reacting, there are a number of ways those working toward recovery can practice mindfulness.
Some of these ways include:

Mindfulness Is Critical in Addiction Recovery

Frequently, those struggling with an addiction disorder are trying to avoid the troubles or experiences that they are facing, but mindfulness is the opposite of that. Mindfulness shifts the focus to that pain and struggle to help us better understand what our minds are trying to process, rather than just trying to flush the problem away.

Nora Jenkins

CADC II, Certified AOD Counselor

Nora Jenkins has made the quality and committed care we provide at Lilac Recovery Center possible. Nora is experienced in providing care to assist in rebuilding relationships to support healthy, long-term recovery. Her professional background includes clinical management, program administration, and counseling.

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