Holistic Practices For Combating Substance Abuse

Addiction isn't a one-size-fits-all disease and neither is the recovery process. Many people seeking sobriety turn to the traditional 12-step approach but find themselves uncomfortable or distracted by the rigidity of the program and its religious aspects. This is unfortunate, especially at a time when their focus should be on self-empowerment, introspection, connection, and personal growth.

Meditation is more than sitting quietly and breathing deeply—it's the practice of experiencing thoughts, emotions, and feelings of discomfort without judgment or attachment. Managing the onslaught of uncomfortable sensations that arrive with sobriety is a great challenge, and meditation is a valuable tool.

Research from Harvard shows measurable changes in the gray matter of the brains of meditation practitioners; even an eight-week program made a notable difference in areas associated with memory, sense of self, empathy, emotional integration, and stress management. Practitioners report feeling an increased sense of calm, focus, and contentment—positive attributes for any life but especially valuable in the battle against addiction.

Admitting a substance abuse problem can make you feel weak—you may also find yourself with an abundance of time on your hands, feelings of emotional and physical discomfort, a great longing for something you know isn't in your best interest, and friends that are no longer an appropriate choice to accompany you on your journey through life.

The road to recovery can feel long and lonely, and it's easy to feel lost. Joining a yoga studio (and actively participating by going to class regularly, introducing yourself to the instructor, and getting to know classmates) is an easy way to build strength and a sense of community while hearing inspirational messages to motivate you.

Yoga can also be encouraging—one week the crow pose seems like an utter impossibility, and the next week you're flying high, balanced carefully with razor-sharp focus. Stick with it, be willing to fail, trust that no one is judging you and that everyone is rooting for you, and celebrate your successes—even if it's just physically staying on your mat at a time you would rather be anywhere else.

The most important element in a life well-lived, whether in recovery or not, is a sense of connection—connection with yourself, with those around you, and with the world in which you live. Yoga and meditation are tools that can help you build strength in your body and spirit, but the work lies in being willing to try new things, accept help, consider new perspectives and reach out in a way that may make you feel vulnerable. Dr. Sagan says, "The most valuable tool to have while in recovery is a strong network of support that could include friends, family, a therapist and other individuals who are also in recovery. We were not designed to do life on our own. We were designed to be in connection with people, and it's through our connectedness and a life lived with purpose that the challenges of recovery can be mitigated and a new way of life can be found."