Recover from Addiction
What is Addiction
An addiction is any behavior that you have difficulty controlling and that you continue to do, even though it’s had negative consequences to your life. The classic addiction is alcoholism. But the definition applies equally well to drug addiction, gambling addiction, eating disorders, and sexual addiction. For more information on addiction and recovery, please see the public service website I have written at www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org.
Ask your doctor or therapist if mindbody relaxation is right for you. Relaxation can complement the work you do with your doctor or therapist, but should not be your only form of treatment.The First Rule of Recovery
You don’t recover from addiction by simply stopping using. You recover from addiction by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. I have worked in the field of addiction medicine all my professional life, and I believe this is the most important rule of recovery. If addicts don’t create a new life, all the factors that brought them to their addiction will eventually catch up with them again. Recovery isn't about stopping – it’s about changing your life.
Addicts use drugs or alcohol to relax, escape, or reward themselves. In other words, they use in order to deal with tension. The most important thing that addicts need to do in their new life is they need to discover healthier ways to escape, relax, and reward themselves. If they don't learn those healthy skills, the world will be too painful or frustrating for them, and they will eventually relapse just to escape.
The Medical Evidence
One study looked at 126 individuals who abused alcohol. After practicing a relaxation technique for two years, 40 percent reported that they had stopping drinking. After three years, 60 percent reported they had stopped drinking.(1)
Another article reviewed twenty-four research studies that looked at the benefits of relaxation in treating and preventing substance abuse. It concluded that relaxation significantly reduces the risk of substance abuse and effectively treats substance abuse. It also concluded that relaxation provides long-range improvements in well-being, self-esteem, and psychological health.(2)
Relaxation may mimic the calming effects of alcohol and tranquilizers. Alcohol and tranquilizers work by increasing a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is the main calming neurotransmitter in the brain. There is evidence that relaxation also increases the amount of GABA in the brain, which may explain its calming effects.(3)
Learn More
In Chapter 19, "Overcome Depression and Addiction" you'll learn:
- How tension contributes to addiction
- How letting go of tension helps treat addiction
- How letting go of tension reduces the risk of relapse
- How mindbody relaxation is an alternative way to escape, relax, and reward yourself
- How to feel comfortable in your own skin
- How to relieve the anxiety that can feed addiction
You'll also learn:
- The underlying causes of tension in greater detail
- A simple but effective relaxation technique to let go of tension and change your life
- The key to relaxing your body and mind
- Simple breathing techniques that will help you let go of tension quickly
- How to stay focused and deal with distractions
- How and why relaxation works
- The science and psychology behind relaxation
- How relaxation feels
- Answers to frequently asked questions about relaxation and meditation
- Hints to help you overcome common obstacles
- A one-month relaxation program that will help you integrate relaxation into your life
- How to reduce anxiety and improve your sleep.
Included information: Read about Addiction recovery techniques and strategies Addiction recovery coping skills are included. Learn about Addiction treatment, Alcohol treatment, and Drug treatment. Relapse prevention strategies and techniques and Relapse prevention skills are included. Prevention of addiction and Addiction recovery guide are included. Overcoming addiction is included. Drug and alcohol addiction recovery, Drug addiction, drug dependence, are included. Drug abuse, substance abuse, drug and alcohol abuse help and information are included. Alcohol addiction, Alcoholism, and alcohol dependence facts and information are included. Alcoholics in recovery and hope are discussed. 12 steps groups (NA, AA, CA) Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous are included. AA 12 steps recovery program and NA 12 step program and CA are included. 12 step programs, AA, NA, CA are included. Addiction recovery coping skills and relapse prevention strategies are included. Read how Mindbody Relaxation can improve your life from the book, Make Room for Happiness by Dr. Steven M. Melemis.