Cycling Mindfulness

Andy has some similarities with Vaillant’s (2008) four factors that contribute to relapse prevention where he substituted his dependency of alcohol with running. Andy also created new caring relationships with people he met though AA

On Saturday September 3rd, between 6:30 and 7 I went to the Arlington Parks Mall to observe the movement of others. In that short period of time I observed at least a hundred people, some I analyzed closer than others. Despite the fact that I am a creature that produces movement as well, and am someone who is not new to seeing others in action, there were some new revelations that were made apparent to me about movement outside of the expectations I already had. (3) First and foremost, people’s movements, like the finger prints that we are born with are unique to each individual; movement is a rainbow of flavors, no person moves exactly like the next. When I was observing in the mall the first and most common movement I noticed was walking.

The one point Miller (2012) made that caught my attention was the substantial role he emphasized motivation plays in an individual’s decision to stop using drugs and alcohol. Personally, I always agreed with this thought, however, it was in a different context. I was always under the impression that once an individual had suffered enough as a result of their addiction, change would occur. However, Miller (2012) provided sound examples of the motivational process and how and why it is key in an individual’s decision to abstain from substances.

In the article “Determining the Relative Importance of the Mechanisms of Behavior Change Within Alcoholics Anonymous: A Multiple Mediator Analysis” the authors conducted research to determine what techniques used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) aid in relapse prevention. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2016) alcohol is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States that is preventable. In 2014 alone, thirty-one percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related (NIAAA, 2016). The study participants suffered from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and attended AA. NIAAA (2016) states the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV has integrated alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single alcohol-related disorder, AUD with mild, moderate, and severe classifications. AUD is diagnosed when a client’s drinking causes themselves or others anguish or injury AA began in the 1930’s and is an informal organization of men/women who have a drinking problem (AA, 2016). AA is based upon anonymity along with twelve steps/principles and meetings for those seeking help with sobriety. Research has shown that participating in AA reduces risk of relapse and this article aims to understand the techniques that empowers those to remain sober.

Recovery is the process of participating in a group or program providing treatment and support for a longstanding psychological or behavioral problem, such as abuse, addiction, grief, or trauma (Melemis, Steven, 2015). As a non-addict it seems easy enough to make a decision to stop drinking and follow through with that decision when temptation presents itself, but for an alcoholic it is not the simple. However, an alcoholic struggles with the temptation on a daily bases. Relapse prevention begins with addressing social interactions, emotional triggers, and developing positive coping mechanisms. Recovery and relapse requires is a process that should be done with others around to support each step and each phase of the

This study is the first joint study covering both Behavioral Motivational Intervention (BMI) and Alcohol Expectancy Challenge (AEC). This is relevant to our issue, as we chose to look at behavioral modifications and interventions to help curb college binge drinking, and both BMI and AEC are both Tier 1 preventative intervention measures recognized by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Previous research in BMI or AEC individually was limited by small sample sizes, brief follow up periods, and inattention to potential mediators of intervention effects. The hypothesis of the study was that using both BMI and AEC together would lead to lower alcohol use than either alone. The rationale for this was if both techniques were moderately effective, combining the two may strengthen the effectiveness by have more successful and longer lasting impacts. The study also looked at intervention longevity with a follow-up period after six months, as well as any gender effects.

The cognitive behavioral model of relapse is known for being the first approach in regards to evaluating the effectiveness of particular behavior changes when it comes to decreasing the behaviors which may trigger relapse. It is also a specific model for relapse prevention that identifies high risk situations. In effort to prevent the progression from lapse to relapse in alcohol dependent individuals, Marlatt and his colleges began the first research study on the cognitive behavioral model. The model was developed based on identified triggers for alcohol lapses following behavioral intervention, which was found in a series of studies conducted. Overall, lapses and relapses were decreased according to participants from initial studies, proving the model somewhat effective.

Jed, a 38 – year old welder, enrolled in the treatment center after his arrest resulting from drunken driving (DUI/DWI) (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.). His lawyer has advised him to stop drinking and get treatment until his trial date, which is in approximate two months. Jed does not believe that he will serve any jail time, but feels that treatment could help strengthen his court case (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.). In this paper, I will create a relapse prevention plan that will aid Jed as he enters into his treatment program. This paper will also show

Objective ---Mindfulness is known as the ability to maintain a continuous awareness of environment, feelings, sensations, and thoughts. This practice focuses on the acceptance of what is happening around and within ourselves by being conscious of our feelings and thoughts. The significance of feelings and thoughts, especially negativity, has shown to impact a patient 's treatment by ultimately relapsing into the use of substance of abuse. Mindfulness has been studied for over 30 years, however there is not an abundant amount of clinical evidence to support the use of mindfulness training in substance abuse recovery. The goal of this manuscript is to compile information from clinical trials about the benefits, efficacy, and use of the practice of mindfulness in substance abuse recovery.

A person enduring the trials of alcoholism will often suffer from a relapse. It is improbable, not impossible, that any person pursuing a life free from alcohol dependency will not have multiple relapses, which often are impulsive and craving like. Alcohol dependency is often a chronic and relapsing illness (“Factors In Alcoholic Relapse”). The best preventive measure to a life independent of alcohol is the understanding of the factors prior to relapse. During the recovery from alcohol dependency a relapse is often precipitated by emotional stress, boredom, and lack of support.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the relapse rate is 40-60%. Not only do we need better alternatives to recovery for alcohol and drug addiction, but we must lower the relapse rate. In order to successfully lower the relapse rate we must inform people on the effect gateway drugs can have on future addictions, educating about relapse and addiction and focusing on key factors to making a treatment a successful one. My research on lowering relapse rates taught me that the problem is not getting sober, its staying sober.

The use of drug and substance abuse interventions have resulted in a decrease of relapses throughout the United States due to the amount of support each participant receives, the unique treatments each person gets, and those who receive treatment are automatically better off than those who do not receive treatment.

As I continued to relax, the chirping of birds, whirring bike wheels and clinking chains, chatting runners, and the low grumble of running engines disturbed me. Looking for tranquility, I sat up abruptly to move, gathering my phone, keys, and water bottle. I took a glance around my surroundings and left. However, there was no escaping the noise surrounding me.

Mindfulness meditation consists of skills and methods to unplug from the busy world around you and from the busy 'monkey brain ' so often experienced in today 's life and particularly in ADHD, anxiety and depression. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness meditation trains and reinforces the ability to pay attention to the present moment, on purpose which helps to increase concentration, decrease anxiety, improve sleep, improve mood, decrease the stress response, and improve physical and emotional health. The studies are compelling about the health benefits of mindfulness meditation. In fact, studies show that mindfulness meditation actually changes the brain in positive ways. The cortex of the brain is thicker in certain areas of the brain in those who practice mindfulness meditation. And brainwave patterns are changed in healthy ways as well.

I lay in the center, listening to soft music my iPod or the birds lulling me into a deep meditation. It is in this spot that I’ve had the deepest conversations with myself, coming to realizations and understandings about my relationships to life, others, and me. The secluded stillness allows my brain to freely wander, explore, and reflect deep concepts coming to profound insights that further benefit me in this crazy journey I call life. The winds, curves, inclines, declines of the trail makes it a perfect path to jog on. The isolation from the outside world makes it easy for my mind to focus on nothing but the task at hand – which is making it all the way around the 3-mile trail without stopping. Although, most times this doesn’t happen because I’m so taken back by the surrounding beauty. I always stop to take in the deep blue sky or the butterflies fluttering gracefully through the field of wild flowers. But when I am running I feel virtually weightless physically and mentally. My mind is blank allowing me to become one with my surroundings. The feeling of the cool crisp air breezing through my hair relaxes me as I intensely run to the heart pumping music blasting through my headphones. The path winds throughout an open field into a forest where you come out by the base cemetery. Passing it constantly fills me with emotion, carrying not only the weight for