How Can MBSR Help One Recover From a Relapse?
It is common for those with substance use disorder (SUD) to relapse within the first year after completing treatment. Some individuals with SUD find it difficult to recover from a substance relapse. Without emotional, professional, or peer support, it is common for one to feel intense feelings of shame, guilt, or failure after having a substance relapse. Although a substance relapse can feel incredibly defeating, participating in mindfulness-based stress reduction, also known as MBSR, at Restoration Recovery can be a helpful path forward. Our treatment facility’s staff understands that social support and motivation are key to maintaining a sober lifestyle. It is a holistic treatment option that can help one move forward with confidence and recover from a relapse.
What Is a Substance Relapse?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), successful recovery requires an individual to make gradual changes across various parts of their life. Changes may affect one’s behavioral, physical, psychological, intra-personal, and social spheres. These changes can promote improved self-care, self-awareness, and life balance while ensuring physical activity, good sleep, and adequate nutrition.
Substance relapse does not happen overnight. A substance relapse is a gradual process. One may undergo a few different stages before a physical substance relapse occurs. For example, at the start, an individual may think about the last time they engaged in substance use but have no desire to misuse harmful substances. If the underlying causes of one’s addiction are left unaddressed, one may struggle with thinking endlessly about using again. It can become persistently difficult for one to ward off their intense substance cravings. The urge to use again can eventually lead to a substance relapse.
Why Is It Challenging to Recover From a Relapse?
Once a relapse has occurred, some individuals may face serious challenges with unwanted addiction and mental health stigma from others. Loved ones may begin to lose hope in their recovery progress and feel they may not deserve another chance. This may lead one to dive deeper into their addiction. The individual may feel like they failed not only themselves but those who were depending on them too. A relapse can contribute to poor self-esteem and demotivation. It is common for one to experience co-occurring depression and anxiety if they continue to experience problems recovering from a relapse. Therefore, relapse prevention is a critical aspect of recovery.
What Is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)?
Understanding that it can be difficult for one to recover from a substance relapse, seeking professional support can help one get back on track to a positive recovery. According to the North American Journal of Medical Sciences, MBSR can be defined as a meditative therapeutic approach. The program was developed in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn for stress management purposes.
Today, this treatment is used to treat a variety of mental and physical health conditions. Conditions include cancer, chronic pain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, immune problems, and skin conditions. Further, individuals with physical ailments may misuse harmful substances to cope with their condition. MBSR can also help those with SUD cope with co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety. The duration of treatment and sessions depends on the program one chooses but generally lasts about two to three hours for about eight consecutive weeks.
Why Choose Holistic Care Over Traditional Medicine to Recover From a Relapse?
Not everyone is comfortable treating their condition solely with medication – and that is okay. Fortunately, holistic care can either be a complementary service or an alternative option to other treatments. Holistic treatment is a more natural approach to care. This kind of care is a type of health care that focuses on the entire person as a whole to enhance their recovery process. Focusing on the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aspects of addiction can aid in relapse prevention. Taking one’s mind, body, and spirit into consideration can help one heal from trauma, manage the stress and anxiety that may have triggered their relapse, and promote overall wellness for a better quality of life.
The Benefits of Participating in MBSR at Restoration Recovery to Recover From a Relapse
Although supportive family members can provide the guidance needed to steer the boat around, outpatient therapy support can further improve one’s recovery. It can be challenging to recover from a relapse, but participating in MBSR can be highly beneficial to an individual’s healing process. MBSR can improve one’s self-esteem and increase their self-awareness to find forgiveness within themselves. It teaches participants mindfulness and meditative practices, as well as simple stretches and poses to achieve stability. Participating in MBSR can encourage the self-care needed to decompress from life stressors and recover from a relapse. Everyone deserves to heal. A typical MBSR session involves:
- Breathwork techniques
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Mental exercises
- Homework assignments
Although addiction is a very complex brain disease, it is a treatable one. The goal of SUD treatment is to equip people with the proper skills and tools to maintain a lasting recovery. Restoration Recovery Center offers an integrative health approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment and includes holistic services designed to support the recovery process by healing the body, mind, and spirit. If you or someone you love is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, there is help. At our facility, clients can participate in holistic programming alongside other therapies to gain the most benefit. Call Restoration Recovery at (888) 290-0925 to inquire about our holistic treatment services to recover from a relapse.
