Meditation for Recovery From Opioid Use Disorder: Can Mindfulness Practices Really Help

Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects many people from all walks of life. Medications for OUD (or MOUD for short) is the gold-standard treatment. MOUD, formerly called medication-assisted treatment (MAT), is a comprehensive approach that uses medications and other treatments, such as therapy, to help with your recovery.

Mindfulness and meditation may also help treat OUD and opioid withdrawal when added to MOUD. These are practices that help train your brain to focus, stay calm, and develop awareness. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can have a variety of benefits. For example, these practices can help you manage stress, anxiety, and pain.

Here, we'll cover how meditation for recovery can be part of an effective OUD treatment plan.

How does meditation work?

Meditation is a practice used to increase awareness and acceptance of your thoughts and feelings. It can also help relax your physical body. By practicing meditation, a state of "mindfulness" is created, which means you're fully present in the moment. There are many different kinds of meditation. Some examples include:

• Breath awareness meditation, where you observe the natural rhythm of your breath

• Mindfulness meditation, where you slow down racing thoughts and tune in to the present moment

• Yoga meditation, where you use the physical practice of yoga to connect the mind and body

• Body scan meditation, where you focus on how each part of your body feels while you're still

• Visualization meditation, where you direct your mind to visual images to help you get the outcome you want

Can meditation help treat OUD?

One of the goals of OUD treatment is to reduce your desire for opioids. Another is to learn skills to control cravings when they arise. OUD treatment also seeks to teach coping mechanisms for mental and physical difficulties. This includes dealing with withdrawal symptoms.

So what does the research show about meditation and OUD recovery?

• One study looked at 150 people with OUD and chronic pain who were taking methadone (Methadose), which is a first-choice medication for OUD. The study compared two groups of people. One group received counseling, and the other group took part in mindfulness sessions through ​​telehealth. The study found that the people who engaged in mindfulness sessions had a higher chance of OUD recovery than the other group. Mindfulness participants also took their methadone more regularly, and were more likely to keep up with treatment for OUD. They also experienced less depression and pain.

• Another study looked at 250 people with OUD and chronic pain. The study compared people engaging in mindfulness sessions to those attending group therapy sessions. The researchers found that meditation increased the likelihood of staying opioid-free. It also reduced feelings of pain. In this study, some people took medications for OUD, but not all did.

The studies discussed above used a mindfulness program called mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement (MORE). The goals of MORE are to:

• Increase awareness of thoughts to help you recognize your behaviors

• Reframe your thoughts to see something in a more positive way

• Focus on savoring and enjoying activities to increase positive emotions

Can acupuncture help treat OUD?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique often used for pain relief. It involves inserting hair-thin needles at specific points on the body called "acupoints." The resulting sensations may help relieve pain. Acupuncture has also been studied to help with substance use disorders, including OUD:

• A large 2016 review of several studies found that acupuncture helped ease anxiety and withdrawal symptoms from opioids.

• Another 2018 review found that acupuncture could reduce insomnia, depression, and cravings for opioids.

• A small 2024 trial found that people receiving methadone saw benefits from receiving acupuncture along with it. These people had fewer cravings and needed less methadone than those not receiving acupuncture.

These reviews showed encouraging results. But the researchers didn't find that acupuncture helped keep people in treatment for OUD. They also didn't find that it prevented people from returning to substance use. Also, most studies looking at acupuncture for substance use disorder treatment aren't long-term studies. They generally last a few months or less. For these reasons, experts say we need more high-quality research to know for sure if acupuncture is an effective treatment for OUD.

Can meditation treat chronic pain?

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons that adults see a healthcare professional. It's also the main reason people start taking opioids. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that about one-fifth of all adults suffer from chronic pain.

Complementary health practices like meditation are gaining more attention as a way to manage chronic pain. Because meditation helps focus the mind and body in the present moment, it can be a useful tool to reduce negative thoughts about pain. Meditation can help people learn to notice breath and physical sensations without judgment. And this can improve feelings of anxiety and depression that often come with chronic pain.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a method that uses yoga and meditation to increase awareness and focus on the present moment. Some evidence suggests it might improve pain-related conditions.

• In a randomized, controlled clinical trial of close to 350 adults, MBSR practices were shown to improve lower back pain and the ability to perform daily functions.

• The results of a 2019 review (which included 7 studies of people using MBSR techniques for chronic pain) suggests mindfulness can improve pain, functioning, and mental health.

How can you start meditating if you've never done it before?

Meditation doesn't have to be intimidating. Anyone can begin practicing at any time. Here are a few tips for getting started:

• Find a quiet space and set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes.

• Sit comfortably so you don't feel the need to move around too much during the meditation. Scan your body for any discomfort and adjust your position as needed.

• Close your eyes or gaze downward at the floor if you'd like to avoid visual distractions.

• Notice your breath and the sensation of air coming in and out as you inhale and exhale. Don't try to control your breath in a particular way.

• Don't judge or try to change what you're feeling. Just practice being curious about what's happening in your body and mind.

Once you are comfortable, an easy beginner meditation is to count your breaths. Count each inhale and exhale until you reach 10, and then start over. Each time your mind wanders, bring your attention back to your breath. Don't get annoyed or judge yourself. It is natural for the mind to wander.

Another way to start meditation is by downloading one of the many apps that offer guided meditations. Check out this GoodRx article covering the best apps to help you meditate - including some basic ones that are free. These apps have many different meditations to choose from that cover many topics such as sleep, focus, and pain.

What medications treat OUD?

Medications are considered the best treatment option for most people who have OUD. Three medications are FDA approved for OUD:

• Buprenorphine (Sublocade, Brixadi), often in combination with naloxone (Suboxone, Zubsolv)

• Methadone

• Naltrexone (Vivitrol)

Buprenorphine-containing products and methadone are first-choice treatment options for MOUD. Naltrexone is also an option, though it's not the most effective option for most people.

People receiving MOUD are more likely to stay in recovery from OUD and have improved quality of life. MOUD also lowers the risk of opioid overdose. These medications each work in a unique way, so it's important to work with a healthcare professional to determine which medication may be best for you.

Where can you go to get help with OUD?

There are many ways to seek treatment for OUD, including:

• Reaching out to your primary care provider. Medications are usually recommended to treat OUD. So reach out to your primary care provider or another healthcare professional to see if they suggest medication for you. If they recommend a product containing buprenorphine, they may be able to prescribe it to you. Or they may refer you to an addiction specialist. Methadone, however, can only be obtained through outpatient opioid treatment programs (OTPs). OTPs can be private facilities or government-run facilities.

• Reaching out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They have a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year information service that anyone can call at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This is a good place to find options for local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations if you don't have health insurance or if you have Medicare or Medicaid. SAMHSA also offers an online treatment services locator where you can enter your address, city, or zip code to find public and private treatment facilities near you.

• Contacting your insurer. If you do have health insurance, your insurer can give you a list of covered providers and facilities that treat opioid dependence.

• Contacting a community-based organization. In addition to treatment centers, many community-based organizations offer support groups for people dealing with opioid addiction. A well-known organization, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), hosts group meetings all around the world.

In some cases, you may do best with a program that offers "medical detoxification." This is where you stop using opioids under the supervision of medical staff, and your withdrawal symptoms can be monitored. These programs can provide you with MOUD as well.

Good to know: If you or a loved one take opioids or have OUD, it's a good idea to carry naloxone (Narcan) on you at all times. Naloxone is an opioid overdose antidote. It works to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose quickly. You can find it over-the-counter, and there may be ways to get it for free too. For instructions on how to use Narcan, head to another GoodRx Health article with step-by-step instructions.