Mindfulness & Meditation in New York

Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment with openness and without judgment. In addiction treatment, this translates to observing cravings, thoughts, and emotions without automatically reacting to them. Instead of "craving hits, I use," you learn "craving hits, I notice it, I breathe, I watch it pass."

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) is a structured program specifically designed for addiction recovery. It combines mindfulness practices with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention techniques. Other approaches like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) are also used in treatment settings.

The practice includes formal meditation (sitting, walking, body scan) and informal mindfulness (bringing awareness to everyday activities). Regular practice strengthens the capacity to pause between trigger and response—exactly what's needed when cravings hit.

Mindfulness programs typically involve learning meditation techniques, then practicing them regularly. You might start with simple breath awareness—noticing the sensation of breathing without trying to change it. This builds the capacity for non-reactive observation.

Specific addiction-focused practices include "urge surfing"—observing cravings like waves that rise, peak, and pass without acting on them. You learn that cravings are temporary; you don't have to make them stop or give in to them. This insight is powerful.

Group sessions combine guided meditation with discussion of how to apply mindfulness to recovery challenges. Between sessions, you practice on your own—often starting with just 10-15 minutes daily.