Addiction, substance abuse disorders, and alcoholism are all mental health conditions that are chronic in nature. They are also progressive conditions, meaning that the longer you avoid treatment and mindfulness based relapse prevention, the more pervasive and damaging the symptoms become. Substance abuse problems can diminish your standard of living, cause mounting financial debt and lead to housing, and employment instability.
Recovery from addiction through holistic therapy in San Antonio TX takes time. Since addiction is a complex disease, it slowly changes your brain chemistry, making your brain and body dependent on drugs and alcohol in order to feel normal. Drugs and alcohol are physically addictive, leading to uncomfortable and troublesome withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.
The severity of withdrawal symptoms can prevent you from achieving sobriety. The risk of relapse is especially high during early recovery, with rehab centers utilizing strategies like mindfulness-based relapse prevention techniques to help you maintain abstinence. Learn more about our relapse prevention program by calling 866.957.7885 today.
During addiction, your brain chemistry begins to change. When your brain begins associating drugs and alcohol with pleasure, your brain’s pleasure and reward center begin to reward your drug use. Your brain releases excessive amounts of neurotransmitters when you use drugs or alcohol, leading to the pleasurable feelings you experience during intoxication. Unfortunately, when the effects wear off, your brain is suddenly depleted of essential neurotransmitters and begins to cause intense cravings.
These cravings put you at risk of relapsing. A relapse occurs when you return to abusing drugs or alcohol after a period of abstinence. Nearly half of all people in recovery experience at least one relapse.
Common things that trigger and lead to relapse include:
During treatment, mindfulness based relapse prevention strategies are utilized to help provide you with the education, skills, and tools you need to combat triggers and cravings.
So, what is mindfulness-based relapse prevention? Mindfulness-based relapse prevention is an evidence-based approach to addiction treatment that uses mindfulness techniques to help you reduce your risk of relapse. By learning how to relax, center yourself and make informed decisions, you can become more aware of your triggers and build the skills needed for a successful recovery. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention is an essential part of many treatment plans and can be used in combination with other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention focuses on developing greater self-awareness. Through mindfulness practices, you can learn how to identify negative thoughts and feelings that lead to relapse. You also become more aware of your body's physical cues, such as tension and agitation, so you can take action to prevent relapse. Additionally, mindfulness helps you recognize the warning signs of relapse and identify effective coping strategies for dealing with them.
Sometimes, it is easy to make reactionary decisions without fully considering the consequences. Mindfulness teaches you how to evaluate situations and make informed, rational decisions. These techniques also help you relax and cope with stress.
Stress is one of the leading causes of relapse, making mindfulness-based relapse prevention an important part of the recovery process. Mindfulness can increase cognition, concentration, and memory, which helps your mind and body fully heal from addiction. Mindfulness exercises are also easy to practice. Strategies like deep breathing can decrease stress and help you focus on your goals, so you can make better decisions during recovery.
Recovery is a process. Since relapse is common, mindfulness-based relapse prevention teaches you how to cope with things like stress and negative emotions in a healthy, productive manner. If you're struggling with an addiction, get the help you need to achieve long-term recovery. Talk to a healthcare professional today about your treatment options and find out if mindfulness-based relapse prevention is right for you.
San Antonio Recovery Center, home to the best holistic therapy San Antonio TX offers, is here to guide you during your recovery journey. Call us today at 866.957.7885 to learn more about our nationally recognized programs and your treatment options.
contact us now!
