Using the Teachings of Buddhism in Addiction Recovery

Many people who come to addiction recovery from secular backgrounds may struggle with the traditional 12-step philosophy. Even though the 12-step program welcomes anyone who would like to participate, regardless of beliefs, several of the steps explicitly mention accepting the existence of a higher power.

A faith-based program or one that has religious overtones might not speak to you if you are among the rising number of Americans with no religious affiliation. Fortunately, there are many alternative options to pursue lifelong sobriety, and one of those is to incorporate the teachings of Buddhism.

What Is Buddhism?

Buddhism is more of a philosophy or way of life than it is a religion – at least, in the traditional Western sense of the word. The practice of Buddhism does not involve praying to any gods or acknowledging the presence of a higher power in your life. Because of the nature of Buddhism, you can be a Christian, an atheist or anything in between and still benefit from the teachings of this ancient practice.

The Buddha taught his followers how to achieve enlightenment by liberating themselves from suffering, and that is the goal people still aim for today. The core of Buddhism, also called the Three Universal Truths, means accepting the following.

1. Everything changes; nothing in this world is permanent.
2. Desire causes suffering.
3. We should be selfless. People shouldn’t try to own things or envy what they haven’t got.

Applying Buddhist Ideas to Your Recovery

Buddhism teaches us that we suffer when we don’t get what we want, which has parallels with the cycle of addiction. Addicted people crave their substances of use when they try to stop using them, which causes them to return to their unhealthy behaviors time and again.

Meditation, which is part of the foundation of practicing Buddhism, teaches practitioners to recognize, accept and let go of their difficult thoughts and feelings. When you establish a regular practice, meditation can help release the attachment you feel towards substances or behaviors, and can ease feelings of stress and anxiety about no longer using.

As many recovering addicts can attest, shame only intensifies the addictive behavior. In a form of meditation called loving-kindness meditation, you focus your attention on someone who loves you and allow those feelings of love to permeate your heart. You can bring your breath into this by inhaling love and exhaling guilt. This type of meditation can help you become more enlightened by learning to forgive yourself.

Find Your Healing Pathway Here

While many people have found the healing they needed through 12-step treatment, it isn’t the right fit for everyone. At Complete Harmony, we offer non-12-step, holistic addiction recovery for adults who are seeking an alternative to the faith-based approach. If you prefer to pursue a more natural, balanced approach to regaining your mental and physical well-being, reach out to us today to speak to one of our recovery advisors about what we offer.

Apps for Addiction Recovery

We use our smartphones to shop, count calories, track sleep, meditate, stay connected with loved ones and more – so why shouldn’t they help with recovery, too? Over the past several years, more and more mobile apps have been created to address the needs of people in recovery. Some apps make it easier to find meetings and/or support from others in recovery. Others are designed to help with triggers and relapse or to provide inspiration and motivation to maintain healthy habits.

While apps can’t and shouldn’t replace professional addiction treatment, they can be a smart tool in your recovery. For one, they can help prevent isolation and connect you with others who understand what you’re going through. Proponents say these apps are especially great for those who don’t have help or support groups nearby. According to CNET, the National Institutes of Health has awarded more than $11 million in grants to explore the role of social media in the prevention and treatment of addiction.

Both the App Store and Google Play have a slew of social apps that aim to help people in recovery – but don’t download one without asking your addiction counselor or healthcare professional. You’ll want to vet the app together to determine whether it aligns with your specific stage of recovery and recovery goals. You might even be able to use them together to set goals and track progress.

Here is a sampling of a few popular recovery apps to evaluate. Ask your addiction specialist or recovery peers to recommend others that have worked for them.

• SoberTool: This app has a sobriety counter that calculates days clean and sober as well as how much money you saved. It also offers daily motivational messages, a community forum and process to avoid relapse. 
• recoveryBox: This app tracks daily life activities to identify and break unhelpful habits that may impact recovery. Daily activities are broken down into green, amber and red lights. 
• Sober Grid: This app helps users build a strong recovery network by connecting them with other nearby sober users. It also provides a function so you can reach out for help if you’re showing signs of relapse. 
• Pocket Rehab: This app connects you with others in recovery – both online and in person. It offers a journal feature to track events and feelings and includes a “lifeline” to text/talk/video chat with other members of the community who are online and ready to help. 
• I Am Sober: This app allows users to create daily pledges to keep them honest and remind them why they are sober. It also provides daily motivation to reinforce recovery and sobriety. 

Cutting Edge Holistic Rehab
At Complete Harmony, we encourage the use of many different cutting-edge techniques to help clients heal the mind, body and spirit. To learn more about our treatment center and our approach to addiction recovery, call today: 866-930-4673.

Really Good Reasons to Get Sober

Especially during the beginning stages of recovery, it’s hard to imagine that you’ll ever feel better or that you'll ever be able to get through rehab to reap the benefits of sobriety. 

Take heart: If you hang in there and do the work, you’ll come out the other side with better health, hope and happiness. Here are a few things to look forward to: 

• You’ll have more energy. You’ll no longer feel hungover or sick from substance abuse and you’ll have more time on your hands to devote to things that make you feel energized and motivated. 
• You’ll develop meaningful relationships. Recovery gives you the opportunity to realize who should (and shouldn’t) be in your life. You’ll get the opportunity to make amends, rebuild relationships, and meet others who are also working to build a new, better sober life.
• You’ll look better. Active addiction takes a heavy toll on your appearance. Within a few short weeks of stopping drugs or alcohol, you’ll likely notice a healthier glow, including better complexion, brighter eyes, and shinier hair — and this will keep improving as you gain tools to stay sober and prioritize self-care.
• You’ll heal your mind, body, and spirit. Getting sober means that you’ll no longer be putting harmful toxins into your body. Plus, you’ll be exposed to holistic therapies (yoga, meditation, nutrition, exercise) that will teach you to clear your mind, open your spirit and care for your body. 

Customized Holistic Rehab Program at Complete Harmony

Our holistic addiction recovery may be especially helpful for clients who have tried traditional, 12-step rehab without success. Our team of addiction experts will work with you or someone you love to set and achieve personal sobriety goals within the safe, beautiful confines of our seaside retreat. To learn more, call 866-930-4673.