How Mindfulness Can Help People Quit Opioids

Woman sitting off water practicing mindfulness

This entry was posted in Opioid Epidemic and tagged holistic therapies, mindfulness, opioid addiction, opioid epidemic, opioids on July 8, 2024 by Recovery Cove.

X Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest

The opioid crisis has devastated countless lives, leaving individuals and their families struggling to find effective solutions for addiction recovery. Here in Pennsylvania, the heroin and opioid crisis is the number one public safety challenge, with 5,168 people dying from opioid overdoses in 2021. While traditional treatments like medication-assisted therapy and counseling play crucial roles, mindfulness has emerged as a powerful complementary practice in the journey to quit opioids.

Let’s explore how mindfulness can aid in overcoming opioid addiction, offering a holistic approach to recovery.

Understanding Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, aware of your thoughts, feelings and sensations without judgment. Originating from ancient meditation practices, mindfulness has been extensively researched and adopted in modern psychology due to its numerous mental health benefits, including reduced stress, enhanced emotional regulation, improved physical health and greater self-awareness.

The Challenges of Quitting Opioids

Quitting opioids is an arduous process characterized by intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms and psychological challenges. These obstacles often lead to relapse, making it essential to have effective coping strategies in place. Mindfulness offers several tools to address these challenges, providing support on both physical and psychological levels.

How Mindfulness Helps in Opioid Recovery

Managing Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms

Mindfulness teaches individuals to observe cravings without acting on them. By recognizing cravings as temporary thoughts or sensations, individuals can reduce their power and avoid relapse. Mindfulness can also help manage the physical discomfort associated with withdrawal. Techniques like mindful breathing and body scans allow individuals to focus on their bodily sensations, reducing the intensity of perceived pain.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and mindful breathing, are proven to lower stress levels. This is particularly beneficial for individuals in recovery, as stress is a common trigger for relapse. Additionally, mindfulness helps in acknowledging and accepting anxious thoughts without judgment, reducing their impact. This can be crucial for those experiencing anxiety during the withdrawal and recovery phases.

Improving Emotional Regulation

By enhancing awareness of emotional states, individuals are able to recognize and address negative emotions before they escalate. They can also foster a non-reactive stance towards emotions, helping them respond to emotional triggers in healthier ways, rather than turning to opioids.

Enhancing Self-Compassion and Resilience

Mindfulness encourages self-compassion, helping individuals treat themselves with kindness during the challenging recovery process. This reduces feelings of shame and guilt often associated with addiction. Regular mindfulness practice can also build resilience, equipping individuals with the strength to cope with setbacks and continue their recovery journey.

Promoting Long-Term Recovery

Incorporating mindfulness into daily life promotes a balanced and aware approach to living, reducing the risk of relapse. Mindfulness can even be a lifelong practice that supports sustained recovery, providing ongoing benefits long after the initial cessation of opioid use.

Practical Mindfulness Techniques for Opioid Recovery

Below are some mindfulness techniques you can practice on your own:

Mindful Breathing. Focus on your breath, observing each inhale and exhale. This practice can help calm the mind and reduce stress.
Body Scan Meditation. Lie down and mentally scan your body from head to toe, noting any areas of tension or discomfort without judgment.
Mindful Walking. Pay attention to the sensations of walking, such as the feeling of your feet touching the ground, the movement of your legs and the rhythm of your breath.
Guided Meditation. Use apps or online resources for guided mindfulness meditations tailored to addiction recovery.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Consider enrolling in an MBSR program, which is designed to help individuals manage stress through mindfulness practices.

Conclusion

Mindfulness offers a multifaceted approach to quitting opioids, addressing the physical, emotional and psychological challenges of addiction recovery. By incorporating mindfulness into your daily life, you can support a healthy recovery by developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation and resilience. To learn more about the holistic therapies available at Recovery Cove, contact us today 484-549-COVE.

"Immediately upon walking inside the doors you are treated as family by the staff and the counselors. The road to recovery is a bumpy road, but with Recovery Cove it is as smooth and safe as it gets. Every group is a safe place where no one falls through the cracks. If you are serious about getting well, you will be equipped with the tools to live a long, and sober life. It is a home away from home. P.S. Ask for Deandra, she helped safe my life! but...all the counselors are amazing."
— R. W.
"Recovery Cove is a great place!! All of the Counselors are so Awesome!! I feel so supported & encouraged!! All of the clients are kind and compassionate. I look forward to coming here. I recommend Recovery Cove to everyone!!"
— Amy B.
"Recovery cove is amazing..the staff is incredibly friendly and extremely knowledgeable..they create an excellent environment for therapy..I want to commend one counsler deandra..she is an angel and comes with the highest recommendation..from. me ."
— Lionel F.
"Awesome clean place. All the counselors are very determined and helpful. Deandra is the best, she has so much energy everyday she will always try to put smiles on everyone’s faces. If you need help and counseling this is the place to go !"
— Jakub P.
"As long as you don't get them singing it's a great place. But really good ppl"
— Brian W.
"Welcoming, kindness, and professionalism is what you will receive from Recovery Cove. I am extremely grateful to the whole Recovery Cove team for guiding me through my recovery process. Outpatient therapy is where the real work is done and they have equipped me the skills I need to continue on my sobriety journey. Thank you so much!"
— Monica
"Truly impressed with this recovery center. Very relaxing & encouraging atmosphere. Highly recommended."
— Meir
"THANK YOU RECOVERY COVE! You guys rock, your help with my current situation and your intervention yesterday was impeccable. Without your help I feel that the strides that were made would not have taken place. I am very ingratiated for your knowledge, your persistence, and your selflessness in helping others. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart."
— Kathy M.
"I came to Recovery Cove after a relapse from 10 years of sobriety. I was skeptical because I had been to many other centers and 90% of them were less than and I walked away with nothing. Recovery Cove is different. I was immediately impressed with the facilities but what has really impressed me was the quality of the counselor. They really care and have amazing knowledge. They are kind yet will keep you in line. If you become willing to listen to them and participate in the program, success is there for the taking. You will not regret your choice to come Recovery Cove. I would give them an A+!!"
— C. J
"My experience at recovery cove was life changing. The staff made my transition back into the real world feel safe and comfortable. The entire staff was welcoming and open-minded while providing an environment I feel willing to open up in. Christine was my therapist - she was a game changer in my recovery and I appreciate every single interaction I had with her. I’m now hopeful for my future & my recovery journey with a big thanks to christine & the entire recovery cove staff"
— M. L.

Recovery Cove... Heal. Grow. Connect. Live.

484-549-COVE

Addiction and Recovery Educational Blog