How Meditative Therapy Helps LGBTQ+ People in Addiction

Overcoming a drug or substance abuse addiction doesn’t happen overnight, and it often requires a multifaceted approach. As the weeks, months, and years pass by for LGBTQ+ people struggling with addiction, they’ll find that some treatments work well and others just don’t meet their expectations. Whatever stage you or your LGBTQ+ loved one are in their recovery journey, meditation for addiction recovery can make all the difference.

Ways Meditation can Help LGBTQ+ People During Addiction Recovery 

In addiction recovery, LGBTQ+ people often learn that self-judgment is harmful and unnecessary and to reconnect with their body and care for it. Meditation helps defeat negative self-talk and is a way to be centered in and aware of the LGBTQ+ individual’s body in ways that support recovery from drug and substance use addiction.

As part of a solid wrap-around addiction recovery program, meditation prioritizes the whole queer person, not just their symptoms. It can be done anywhere, has no drug interactions, and helps them to create routines and complements every addiction therapy modality that there is. Meditation therapy benefits for LGBTQ+ people in alcohol and drug addiction recovery include the following:

• Reduce Stress
  A great benefit of meditation is stress reduction. LGBTQ+ people who are recovering from addiction may experience increased stress and anxiety due to the changes in their lifestyle and the challenges of sobriety. Beginning addiction recovery can add challenges to those queer people who already feel anxious. The substance or drug they were abusing temporarily masked feelings of stress and anxiety, so they are afraid to stop. With meditation, a soothed and quieted mind is more able to manage cravings and recognize triggers.
• Elevates Mood
  The improved mood that meditation brings about can help an LGBTQ+ person even out mood swings and have the positive, hopeful attitude that strengthens them in addiction recovery. This creates a more consistently positive mindset as they conduct their daily activities.
• Better Sleep
  In addiction recovery, a practical benefit of meditation is better sleep. Meditation calms their mind and body letting go of all stress and anxiety thereby making it easier for the queer person to unwind down and get some rest.

Tips for a Helpful Meditation Experience for LGBTQ+ People in Addiction 

Meditation for addiction recovery in the LGBTQ+ community has emerged as a powerful practice to support those battling drug addiction and alcoholism. While recovery meditation is not a substitute for comprehensive treatment with professional medical support, meditation can play a significant role in promoting recovery from drugs and substance use addiction. Whether the LGBTQ+ individual is currently struggling with addiction, undergoing treatment, or already in long-term recovery, practicing meditation to break addiction can offer important benefits for their overall well-being and sustained recovery. Here are tips for a helpful meditation experience for LGBTQ+ people in addiction:

• Make Meditation a Habit-stick To a Schedule: Meditation does not need to take up a large amount of time or emotional intensity during the addiction recovery process. The queer person can practice meditation by simply sitting in a quiet room and breathing deeply, focusing on their body and thoughts, and observing them. They can set a consistent schedule for when they decide to meditate. This could be a specific time of day or after a daily occurrence, such as immediately after getting up from bed, after dinner, or before bed. 

• Have a Meditation Journal: Writing down their thoughts and insights can help the LGBTQ+ individual better understand what is going on in their mind, allowing for deeper realizations. This also gives them the opportunity to go back and reflect. If meditating brings up any stressful thoughts or feelings, they can write them down as well. They can also mention these to an addiction therapist and work on addressing them in your sessions. 

• Try Meditation Apps: Meditation apps can help an LGBTQ+ person learn more about meditation and practice specific techniques for their addiction recovery journey. Some of these apps even provide guided meditations that will help them focus on their breathing and the present moment by following an audio track.

• Create a Quiet Place to Meditate: Having a quiet and calming space to meditate will help you achieve the best meditation experience. Meditating in the same place every day or even creating your own personal meditation area can give you peace of mind, especially if it is an environment that comforts and calms you. 

• Keep a Calm and Steady Breath While Meditating: Keeping a calm, steady breath while meditating will help the LGBTQ+ individual focus on the present moment. Focusing on their breathing is an old technique used in meditation, one that can also be incorporated into other practices such as yoga. If the queer person finds that their mind wanders as they meditate, tell them not to worry. It is natural and happens to everyone. Tell them to simply focus on bringing their thoughts back to their breathing to ground themselves.

Get the Help You Need 

Many times, struggling with addiction can be too much to handle alone. The underlying causes remain, and these are the areas that we help with during treatment. We know that nothing is more disheartening than relapsing after leaving rehab, so we give patients the tools to stay sober. Reach out to Inspire Recovery  to learn about available treatment options. You can contact us online or call us at 561-763-9837