4 Steps to Learning Mindfulness in Recovery

In recovery from any type of addiction, it is necessary to learn mindfulness in several different areas of life. Taking the proper steps to learn mindfulness can help you with long-term recovery, healing relationships, and overall greater well-being.

1. Be Mindful of the Severity of the Issue

According to NIDA, acknowledging that addiction has become an issue is one of the first steps towards recovery. Without this awareness of the severity of the situation, the addict will not realize how far they have come and how much they really need treatment.

The first step of mindfulness that one must learn is to be mindful of how substance abuse has affected your life. Addiction has negative impacts in relationships, financial situations, workplaces, and countless other areas of life, but many addicts are blind to the fact that it is their very own addiction causing these conflicts.

2. Be Mindful of How Others Were Affected

Another important acknowledgement is that the addict becomes aware of how their addiction affected other individuals besides themselves. Addiction creates a great amount of tension relationally, among marriages, families, friends, and coworkers.

In order to heal the damage that the addiction has caused, this also means healing these relationships which were hurt in the process. There is also the danger that a close loved on developed codependency during the time, in which case they will also need treatment and care in order to heal.

If this is the case, and you or a loved one are seeking recovery from this, call 800-605-6597 Who Answers? to speak with a specialist about your next steps.

3. Be Mindful of Potential Triggers

As you go through your recovery process, you will learn how to identify triggers that could potentially cause you to use again. According to NCBI, these can be both external triggers and internal triggers. External triggers may be specific situations, places, or people that cause you to feel that draw towards the substance again. In managing your recovery, it may be necessary to cut out certain hangouts or social circles from your lifestyle in order to avoid those triggers.

Internal triggers may be stress, certain moods or feelings, and any other internal pressure to use. Dealing with these triggers may involve learning new coping methods for stress, finding support groups, and undergoing behavioral therapy. The first step to dealing with any type of trigger, however, is first becoming mindful of your own specific triggers, then taking the next steps towards handling them.

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4. Be Mindful of How Far You’ve Come

While undergoing the recovery process, it can be easy to get caught up in the negativity of how addiction has hurt those around you, or how potential triggers could contribute to relapse. It is equally important, however, for you to focus on the positive side of the situation and acknowledge the progress you have made through it all.

You should keep in the forefront of your mind that the path you are on is taking you to a new lifestyle of health and well-being, and that your relationships can be healed through this. Being mindful of the positive aspects of recovery is necessary to making the most out of all the treatments and therapy.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and are seeking a path of recovery, call 800-605-6597 Who Answers? to speak with a caring specialist who can guide you in the right direction.