Meditation

Meditation involves practising attention in different ways. It may help some people notice thoughts, feelings and cravings, but it is optional and does not replace care.

Meditation is a group of practices involving attention. Some focus on a sensation, sound or phrase; others involve noticing present experience. Practices may be religious, secular or understood differently by the person using them.

In recovery, noticing a thought or urge may help someone recognise what is happening before deciding how to respond. It does not guarantee that a craving will fade, prevent return to use or make a difficult feeling manageable on its own.

Meditation is not a requirement for recovery and does not replace treatment, medicines or assessment of withdrawal and other serious symptoms. A structured clinical programme is also different from an exercise found in an app or a general meditation session. If alcohol dependence may be present, seek medical advice before stopping or substantially reducing drinking. Seizures or severe withdrawal symptoms need emergency help.

Some people experience increased distress during practice. There is no duty to push through it. Stopping and discussing a troubling reaction with an appropriate professional can be more useful than treating distress as proof of progress. If you are in immediate danger, seek emergency help.

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