Substance abuse can be a debilitating experience for both the abuser and those who love them. When there is a desire to stop abusing a substance, finding methods to deal with urges becomes necessary. Many people find that using the power of mindfulness when dealing with addiction has beneficial aspects that aid in keeping away from substance abuse. Here is some information about mindfulness and how it can help if you are suffering from an addiction.
What Mindfulness Is All About
Mindfulness is the act of having an awareness of your surroundings and feelings at any given moment. Taking the time to reflect upon the actions being conducted around you and the people or items within your scope of view will help you identify the way you cope with undesirable urges. Being aware of undesirable feelings at any point in time will give you the ability to use proper tactics to deflect poor choices with positive actions. Every aspect of your life needs to be analyzed in real time to identify feelings that you want to change. Knowing what makes you uncomfortable, angry, sad, and scared gives you the tool needed to change your feeling to those of happiness, calmness, and peacefulness.
Once you identify your feelings around particular items, in specific places, or in the presence of certain people, and know when you are more prone to reaching for a substance you previously abused, you can deflect your actions positively when triggers arise. This takes a bit of practice, but in time, it will become second nature to use this powerful tool to your advantage.
Some Key Points When Trying Mindfulness Tactics
When trying mindfulness, it is important to hone in on each of your senses during your reflection time. This will aid in identifying exactly how you feel about a certain moment and what you believe will help get you through it so that you can deal with discomforts appropriately. If you feel uncomfortable when in the presence of a particular person or when visiting a certain place, make an effort to become aware of the smells, sounds, and visual stimuli around you. Being aware of these stimuli will help you divert your attention to positive aspects quickly. For example, if you feel jittery when you visit a particular place, and you are aware of the smell of cooking food in this area, making a mindful decision to think about your family’s home cooked meals can help take your mind away from your discomfort and toward a positive memory instead.
Consider keeping a checklist to help you get through the actions of mindfulness so you do not divert away from your desired outcome. Identify the trigger and use relaxation techniques while making a conscious effort to think about your surroundings in full. If you have difficulty with this, a checklist can help you keep on track. Breathing exercises, closing your eyes, and practicing meditation will all help you to keep your attention on the present moment and your feelings about it so that you can use appropriate actions to find the good in the situation.
Other Sources That Help When Using Mindfulness For Substance Abuse
Consider talking to others about your desire to use mindfulness as a means to stop abusive behavior. This way, if you need to stop what you are doing to become completely aware of your feelings with a situation, your sources of support can help to guide you through the actions necessary to complete tasks as needed. Talking to a counselor about your findings can reap many benefits as you will have the ability to talk about each of the scenarios you experienced. Talking to someone about your progress can help you find additional ways to expand on your mindfulness frequency and duration time.
Meditation and relaxation help tremendously when engaging in mindfulness. Clear your mind and place your attention directly on your feeling at the moment. Doing this each day at various times will help you learn exactly how you feel in a variety of situations. Using meditation and mindfulness in tandem strengths behaviors that are intention-based and diverts the need for behaviors where an impulse is your focus. You will learn how to tolerate emotions that are negative and intentionally use positivity to strengthen your resolve. This positivity will help you use the feeling of compassion rather than turning to abusive behavior when you recognize an experience that makes you uncomfortable.
Here at Rise in Malibu, we pride ourselves in the diversity of our program. We offer many solutions based on you, the individual. If you or a loved one are seeking help, contact us today!
