Mindfulness and Meditation Treatments Just a Fad? Hear What The Experts Have To Say (Continued)

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A better passage about how to create happiness by changing one’s attitude would be difficult to find.

According to several sources, (barefootsworld.net, Wikipedia) Richard Walker published his thoughts on staying sober originally in 1949, Twenty-Four Hours a Day. This book became the second highest selling book from Alcoholics Anonymous. He self-published it after writing these thoughts on index cards and his AA group suggested he make it a book. According to the current publication (Martino Publications), the book was originally published in 1954. The book consists of a daily thought, meditation, and prayer.

The idea of meditation as a form of self-growth was a part of AA since its inception. The eleventh step mentions it directly. The “Big Book” provides guidance in when and how the alcoholic can meditate to best improve contact with his higher power (pg. 86, 87). Though being in touch with a higher power isn’t always the goal of every meditator, the “Big Book” goes on to discuss its benefits. And, returning to the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day, the idea is furthered to other meditations meant for self-improvement.

Acceptance has always been a part of therapy, and has grown in importance. Combining acceptance and mindfulness-based practices easily fit into addiction therapeutic practices. I’ve been using it in my practice for some time, and included a very brief section on it in my book, Addiction: A Human Experience. Many of my clients seeking help for addiction are introduced to ideas of mindfulness and its relationship to therapy.

Though not every client is receptive to the interventions—nor should one type of treatment be applied to all clients—many are, to varying levels. When a client is receptive to initial discussion, education about what mindfulness is and how to begin practicing it more effectively is discussed. This includes becoming the observer—the ability to cognitively detach from what is occurring in the moment and instead observe what is happening internally, Eckhart Tolle’s suggestion for one to bring awareness into his/her body—allowing consciousness to be centered and directed (as opposed to reacting out of conditioning), as well as meditative techniques (such as the body scan).

"Clients are given “homework assignments” focused on being mindful in certain aspects in their lives, including meditation. Some use apps, such as “Conscious,” which gives daily challenges to be mindful of."

Many clients begin by simply focusing on thoughts for substance use. The goal is to be aware of the thought, recognize it, and not judge or overanalyze it. The client is to recognize the insignificance of the thought, how automatic thoughts (including thoughts about substances, as they have become natural, automatic thoughts) are truly meaningless.

Next, the client focuses on how he/she has the power to determine whether or not to act on a thought. The client can also focus on the breath, simply observe the thought process, and even recognize the thought as absurd. In sessions, we discuss incidences in which they have practiced it, circumstances where they might have practiced it, how it worked, and obstacles that might have kept it from being effective.

The process of stopping and evaluating thoughts is a form of cognitive challenging—a cognitive therapy intervention that I educate my clients about. Cognitive therapy has been effectively used with addiction treatment for decades. Mindfulness simply alters the challenge by more directly decreasing the weight, rationality, or perceived reality of the thought through awareness that thoughts are not inherently meaningful, while also creating distance from them.

"As clients become more adept at mindfulness and acceptance practice, the practice is expanded to other aspects of life. The client is encouraged to become more mindful more often. In so doing, they become more capable of choosing whom they will be in given moments and situations."

I’ve had clients who, beyond remaining abstinent, have used these techniques to control other impulses, to cope with chronic pain, to become more observant of not only their own thoughts but also the patterns and behaviors of those around them, and to more effectively mold themselves into who they want to be. For some, mindfulness is used to engage in healthier behaviors, such as exercise.

Though excuses crowd their mind for delaying or canceling a workout, they simply stop listening, observe the thoughts, and exercise anyhow. Many clients report feeling less stressed, less rushed, and less affected by the ups and downs of daily life. As one of my clients professes, he focuses as much as possible on being the best person he can be in every situation.

Mindfulness-based therapies are getting a lot of attention. They are fashionable, and “mindfulness” is a new buzzword in the field. It is outstanding that the benefits of what was once thought to be such an esoteric practice are finally being observed.

But it isn’t as new as everyone thinks. Arguably, it’s been around since the inception of therapy, and has certainly been a part of the 12-Step tradition as long as there has been one. I highly recommend that you give these ideas a chance, as your therapist recommends.

For more of my writing on using mindfulness, and other topics related to psychology and personal growth, please visit Willam Berry's Psychology Today blog, The Second Noble Truth.

William Berry, LMHC, CAP, has worked in the field of addiction treatment for over 20 years. Read William's full bio here.

References: Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition. New York: A.A. World Services. Barefootsworld; Twenty-Four Hours a Day; retrieved on 2/17/16, Hayes, S; The Six Core Processes of ACT; retrieved on 2/15/16, Keng, S.L; Smoski, M.J; Robins, C.J; 2011; Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies; Clinical Psychology Review Volume 31, Issue 6, August 2011, Pages 1041–1056, Wikipedia; Twenty-Four Hours a Day; retrieved on 2/17/16