Meditation | Benefits and How It’s Used

If you are new to recovery, meditation might sound like the last thing you expect to try in rehab. Many people think that recovery is just about detox and therapy, but meditation can be a powerful path to sobriety. If you are imagining sitting cross-legged in silence for hours, then think again! Meditation for addiction recovery can be as simple as noticing your breath or taking a few moments to slow down your thoughts when everything feels too much. Over time, meditation can become an invaluable tool for staying on track during rehab and finding peace in your everyday life over time.

Meditation - woman meditating

What is meditation?

Meditation is one of the oldest healing practices in the world, used for centuries across different cultures to help people find balance and peace. While meditation began in spiritual traditions, it’s now embraced by people from all walks of life to ease anxiety, stay grounded and feel more present.

All meditation really asks of you is to slow down and pay attention to your breath, your surroundings or the sensations in your body. The goal isn’t to stop thinking but to notice when your mind drifts and gently bring it back. Over time, this simple act of focus can help you feel more in control, more at ease and better equipped to deal with the ups and downs of life.

How meditation helps in addiction recovery

Meditation therapy takes the core techniques of meditation like breathwork, stillness and mindfulness and uses them in a structured way to support your recovery. Instead of just meditating alone, you are guided by a trained therapist who helps you build a regular practice and learn how to use meditation as a tool for healing. Rather than just zoning out, this teaches you to sit with your thoughts, emotions and body without judgement.

In recovery, this can make a huge difference. Meditation can help calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety and give you something steady to come back to when life feels uncertain. For example, if you are dealing with cravings or are feeling overwhelmed emotionally, meditation can give you simple techniques to ground yourself and respond in a healthier way.

Meditation also helps you practise self-compassion, something that can feel foreign after addiction. Instead of judging every thought or feeling, you start to notice and accept them without panic or shame. At Linwood House, we have seen how powerful this shift can be, not just helping our clients resist cravings and triggers but to feel more at peace so cravings don’t arise.

As one of our meditation therapists explains:

“Meditation therapy helps regulate the nervous system and gives your immune function a boost, while also offering broad benefits for both mind and body. It can ease withdrawal tension, sharpen your focus, support restful sleep and encourage thoughtful self-awareness. Over time, it helps bring more balance and a deeper sense of calm into your life.”

Types of meditation therapies at Linwood House

What makes meditation therapy so helpful in recovery is how flexible it is. Different techniques can be used depending on what you need so Linwood House offers a variety of meditation practices that work together to support your mind and body through every stage of recovery. Some of the ones we find most powerful include:

Loving-kindness/metta meditation
Learning to be gentle with yourself is a powerful part of healing, and that’s what loving-kindness meditation, also known as metta meditation, is all about. Addiction can really affect your mood and personality and cause you to be unkind to yourself and others. Loving-kindness meditation helps you let go of harsh self-criticism and approach your struggles with more understanding. As that self-kindness grows, it becomes easier to cope with hard days and difficult people so you can stay committed to recovery.
Body scan meditation
Body awareness meditation helps you tune into how your body feels so it can tell you what you need. This stronger mind-body awareness can be incredibly useful in managing cravings, handling withdrawal symptoms and avoiding relapse. It is also an effective way to relieve stress, ease built-up tension and recharge your energy after emotionally demanding therapy work.

Mindfulness meditation

With mindfulness, you learn to stay with what’s happening right now instead of getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness in rehab can be life-changing for recovery, especially when things feel chaotic during the transition back to your everyday life. Instead of reacting automatically to addiction triggers, you learn to observe your thoughts, cravings or fears without needing to act on them.

As our mindfulness meditation therapist explains:

“Mindfulness in rehab is all about helping people reconnect with the present moment. It creates space for calm, acceptance and a clearer head, especially when you’re dealing with anxiety or depressive symptoms during recovery. With regular practice, it can genuinely shift how your brain works, making it easier to stay focused, respond thoughtfully and build stronger relationships in and out of rehab.”

How meditation and traditional therapy work together in rehab

Linwood House provides side-by-side traditional therapies and meditation to address addiction from every angle. Here are some examples of how the two approaches work together:

Group therapy and meditation
Meditation can help calm your nerves before group sessions, making it easier to speak honestly and really connect with others in the room. When you practise meditation alongside recovery peers, it can also create a stronger sense of trust and community, two things that make group therapy make group therapy feel safer and work more effectively.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and meditation
DBT gives you tools for understanding and coping with big emotions. When paired with meditation, it becomes easier to notice those emotions in the moment and choose how to respond. Mindfulness is a major part of DBT and practising the skills you learned during DBT and mindfulness in rehab gives you a chance to pause, breathe and take a moment before you react.

The benefits of meditation after rehab

The best thing is that meditation doesn’t stop being useful when rehab ends. In fact, it often becomes even more important as you navigate everyday life, helping you stay emotionally steady and mentally strong, both of which are vital in long-term recovery.

Life after rehab can be full of challenges, whether it’s seeing old friends, being back in the same environment, or just trying to settle into a new routine. The mindfulness skills you picked up in treatment can be used anytime, whether you’re sitting quietly at home or feeling stress rising at work. Being aware of your thoughts and feelings can make it easier to catch yourself when triggers appear so you don’t fall back into drug or alcohol use.

Begin meditation for addiction recovery today

If you’re curious about how meditation therapy can support your recovery, we’d love to tell you more. Just contact us at Linwood House and we’ll talk you through what to expect and how it can help. Our team is here to support you every step of the way and help you build a calmer, addiction-free future.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be religious or spiritual for meditation?
No, meditation doesn’t require any spiritual or religious beliefs. While it has roots in some traditions, modern meditation is totally adaptable. It is about learning to slow down, focus and breathe, something anyone can do, no matter their beliefs.
Is meditation for addiction recovery scientifically backed?
Yes, loads of research supports meditation as a helpful part of addiction recovery. It has been shown to lower stress, reduce cravings and boost your overall wellbeing. It is especially powerful when used alongside traditional therapies, which is why Linwood House includes it in our programmes.
Can you meditate without a therapist?
Absolutely, while meditation for addiction recovery is therapist-guided, you can definitely practise meditation on your own. There are lots of ways to meditate on your own and even books, apps and videos which can guide you or give you new ideas. Setting aside a quiet moment each day can be a great way to start your meditation practice.

Disclaimer:

The availability of therapies may vary across UKAT centres. The specific therapies provided will be determined based on your treatment plan and the programme offered at your chosen facility. All treatments are subject to clinical assessment and programme availability at the time of admission. For further details on the therapies included in your treatment plan, please contact our admissions team.