Why Is Mindfulness Important In Recovery?

"When we have a negative experience or feeling, our autopilot instinct is to escape via our addiction. Through mindfulness, we learn to interrupt ourselves, take a pause. When an urge or craving comes, we can mindfully sit and observe it and recognize it for what it is– momentary and transient. We don’t have to act on it. We can know it will pass. Urges or cravings always do.

Cravings generally occur when something goes wrong. Through mindfulness, we learn to be with the negative feelings, to accept that suffering is a natural part of life. Mindfulness teaches us not to be too attached to happiness because it, like the negative feelings, is transient.

When we are mindfully attuned to our bodies and minds, we receive signals about what’s out of balance. Mindfulness teaches us to respect these signals and welcome them instead of pushing them away. Our body tells what we need if we are only able to pay attention."  "Addiction.org).