Yoga & Meditation for Addiction Recovery
There’s no “wrong” way to recover from addiction or substance use disorders. Find what works for you!
You’ve tried treatment or 12-Step programs, but you’re STILL struggling with your addiction. Maybe friends and loved ones are losing their patience, you’re at risk of losing a job, or you’re facing other very real consequences. You’re not alone, but the shame you’re feeling probably isn’t helping!
There are many different types of programs and meetings that offer support. Check out the resources page for some links. Adding yoga and meditation as additional supports may be helpful, too!
Why meditation and yoga for addiction recovery?
I believe that addictive processes are attempts to soothe & regulate our nervous systems.
Addictive behaviors (substance use, gambling, sex, shopping, etc.) do work and provide some relief in the short-term. However, they become problematic as they creep into other areas of our lives. We start to notice negative consequences such as the loss of relationships, jobs, financial stability, trust, participating in hobbies we used to love, and more.
Yoga and meditation both help regulate the nervous system through breath, focus, movement, and present-moment awareness. Yoga and meditation practice, when done regularly, can help us learn to better tolerate distressing feelings. We can learn how to “ride the wave” of discomfort, knowing that it will eventually pass, and that we don’t need to give in to our addiction to make it through.
Yoga means to yoke or unite – body with mind, breath with movement, self with universal consciousness. Yoga philosophy teaches that we are all interconnected, and offers ethical guidelines on how to conduct ourselves in life. For folks who have difficulty identifying with a “Higher Power,” yoga and meditation may may offer a solution that feels less dogmatic and prescriptive. For instance, your practice, your yoga mat, your sangha (community), the ancient texts, or universal consciousness may all serve as a more-than-adequate “higher power.”
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