Why Mindfulness Meditation?
Mindfulness meditation is a centuries-old technique that encourages non-judgmental attentiveness to and awareness of the current state of one’s body and mind. With regular practice, it may enhance one’s ability to make conscious behavioral choices. Mindfulness meditation-based therapy has been found to be a safe and effective way to treat anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain, as well as many other medical and mental health conditions. Early research and anecdotal evidence suggest it may also be valuable for people struggling with alcohol dependence and other types of substance abuse. In 2008, Dr. Zgierska published the results of a pilot study that showed mindfulness meditation was a promising adjunct therapy for alcohol relapse, with results similar to those of conventional therapies. The current study expands on that pilot, and is one of just a few rigorous studies on the connection between meditation and addiction. “People have been using mindfulness meditation techniques f
