Mindfulness is the practice of awareness. In addiction treatment, the practice of mindfulness helps people pay attention to cravings and leads a person to realise which thoughts, emotion and body sensations make up cravings. Aside from cravings and impulse control, mindfulness therapy can also help in other aspects of addiction recovery.
The primary goals of mindfulness therapy in the treatment of addiction include:
Help tolerate stress, cravings and other urges
Support healthy coping mechanisms for anger, fear or other negative emotions
Becoming aware of all incoming thoughts and feelings, work to accept those and not attach to
The overall benefits of mindfulness may include:
Increase ability to tolerate the present moment and make positive changes
Boost immune system
Improve sleep
Lower blood pressure
Manage chronic pain
Reduce anxiety
Build self awareness
Control troubling emotions
Change judgemental thoughts
Grow awareness of previously avoided experiences
Cope with stressors
Develop compassion
Mindfulness therapy is usually a short term, group-based, psychoeducational intervention that combines traditional Cognitive-Behavioural Relapse Prevention strategies with meditation training and mindful movement. Courses can last a few months. Light stretching and gentle movements are used to guide the person’s body with respect and peace. Letting go is the main goal to focus on the present and bring awareness to the here and now. This helps bring the mind and body into a centred place where it is easier to cope with addiction and the challenges which arise from this.
Smarmore Castle provides a treatment model focused on Castle Craig model of treatment. We are located in a castle and country house in County Louth with an escape from the outside to focus on your inside. We are ready to help you work on your addiction with treatment professionals and individualised programmes to suit your needs. Call us at +353 41 214 5111 to get started.
