One word that is often tied to the addiction recovery process is acceptance. While acceptance seems simple, many clients struggle to accept things as they are in the moment. Fortunately, Mindfulness-Based Sobriety can help. Explore the benefits of mindfulness therapy, how it can prevent relapse and how it fits into an evidence-based recovery plan at Gateway.
Mindfulness is defined as staying rooted in the present. Mindfulness-Based Sobriety, therefore, is about staying sober while focusing on what is happening in the here and now. Mindfulness-Based Sobriety treatment asks clients to think about how they are feeling now rather than focusing on the past or worrying about the future.
In addiction recovery, it is common for clients to worry about things. Some clients have underlying issues that need to be confronted, and others are overly concerned with the unknowns that exist in the years to come. Rather than expending energy worrying about things out of your control, it helps to be mindful and focused on the present.
Mindfulness-based treatment starts with the acceptance of the present moment. It is about acknowledging what is happening minute by minute, recognizing it and choosing to progress anyway. This mindset can be incredibly helpful for those who internalize stress or turn to substance abuse when things become overwhelming.
At Gateway, evidence-based treatment is the foundation for recovery. All clients have access to a wide range of addiction treatment programs, but there is no one-size-fits-all strategy.
The best approach for clients is to opt for a holistic approach. Treating the person, rather than just the addiction, leaves room to explore a wide range of treatment methods.
Mindfulness-Based Sobriety fits into both an evidence-based approach and a more holistic approach. Mindfulness is proven to reduce stress and help clients avoid relapse. At the same time, it can give clients the power and confidence they need to move forward. Mindfulness-based treatment has a place for all types of clients who are fighting back against addiction.
Thoughts, emotions, and feelings can all be responses to outside triggers. All too often, these triggers cause instability and a desire to turn back to substance abuse. Through Mindfulness-Based Sobriety treatment, clients can learn how to identify and healthily cope with these triggers.
Sometimes, it is specific situations or people that are problematic. Often, clients find that high-stress environments are the trickiest to navigate after recovery. It is normal to feel angry, confused or overwhelmed in these situations.
Mindfulness-Based Sobriety treatment asks clients to focus on these feelings rather than running from them. Accepting your stress, anger or loneliness is the first step. Then, you can resolve the cause of the feelings or move on. This approach allows clients to be in the moment, be mindful of their own emotions and still avoid the risks of relapse.
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While working to overcome an addiction, clients may find themselves on one of two dangerous paths. The first is trying to cover up all emotions and be as stoic as possible. The second is focusing on the past or trying to create a victim narrative. Both can be problematic, and both are not in line with Mindfulness-Based Sobriety.
When clients learn to be genuinely mindful, they accept their emotions. They acknowledge how they feel and then determine whether those feelings are justified or a cause for further action. They also learn how to deal with extreme emotions. Although life can feel unfair, for example, clients still have to take ownership of how they feel, how they respond to those feelings and how they act moving forward.
Substance abuse treatment centers like Gateway offer Mindfulness-Based Sobriety treatment to clients who want true recovery. Every person is unique, and every person deserves to take their own feelings and history into consideration during recovery. Mindfulness-Based Sobriety can be a standalone therapy, but we also incorporate it into all of the following treatments and programs:
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