“Just sit and breathe” sounds like a strange answer to a chemical addiction, and it’s a fair thing to be skeptical about. But the meditative therapy used in addiction treatment isn’t a relaxation app or a generic wellness trend. The most established version, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, is a specific, manualized clinical program built by addiction researchers, and it’s been tested against standard treatment in a randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Psychiatry.
At Ray Recovery, we treat clients across Hudson and Uniontown, serving Akron, Canton, and the surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.
Call 888-598-6299 or reach out online to talk with our team about your treatment options.
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)
MBRP was developed by researchers Sarah Bowen and Alan Marlatt at the University of Washington specifically for substance use disorders, not adapted from a general wellness program. It runs as eight structured, two-hour group sessions that combine two things: traditional relapse prevention skills (the same kind used in CBT) and mindfulness practice aimed directly at cravings and triggers.
The core skill MBRP teaches is sometimes called “urge surfing,” learning to notice a craving arrive, observe it without acting on it, and watch it pass, since cravings are time-limited even when they don’t feel that way in the moment. A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry compared MBRP against both standard relapse prevention and treatment as usual, and found MBRP participants showed better outcomes on substance use measures than those in the standard treatment arm.
This is different from meditating to relax. It’s meditating with a specific clinical target: the exact moment a craving is strongest.
Other Mindfulness-Based Approaches We Use
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). A broader, well-researched program for managing general stress, often useful for clients whose substance use is closely tied to chronic stress rather than specific triggers.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Combines CBT with mindfulness, originally built to prevent depression relapse, and useful for clients managing depression alongside substance use.
Guided meditation. Shorter, therapist-led sessions focused on grounding and present-moment awareness, often used as a lower-intensity entry point before moving into structured programs like MBRP.
If you’re specifically interested in the physical, body-based side of mindfulness work, including trauma-informed yoga, that’s covered in more depth on our Holistic Therapy page.
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Who This Helps Most
Meditative therapy tends to be especially useful for clients who:
- Notice specific, identifiable moments where cravings spike (certain times of day, places, or emotional states)
- Have completed an initial phase of treatment and are focused on relapse prevention specifically
- Struggle with racing thoughts or rumination that make other therapies harder to engage with
- Want a concrete skill to use in the exact moment a craving hits, not just a general coping philosophy
How This Fits Into Treatment
Meditative therapy is typically introduced after initial stabilization, often as clients transition toward aftercare or step down from PHP to IOP, since it’s specifically built as a relapse prevention tool. It’s used alongside CBT and group therapy rather than as a standalone approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isn’t this just meditation I could do on my own with an app?
MBRP is a structured, eight-session clinical program specifically built around addiction triggers and cravings, led by a trained facilitator, not a general relaxation practice. The skills are similar in spirit but the application is targeted and clinically guided.
Do I need meditation experience to start?
No. Most clients have never meditated before starting treatment. The program is built to teach the skill from the ground up.
How is this different from just relaxing or taking a break?
Relaxation is passive. MBRP specifically trains you to stay present and aware during a craving, rather than avoiding or numbing it, which is a very different (and more useful) skill for relapse prevention.
Does insurance cover meditative therapy?
Yes, when it’s included as part of a covered treatment program. We work with Anthem, Humana, and Ohio Medicaid. Verify your benefits to confirm what’s included in your plan.
Ready to Talk?
If cravings tend to hit at specific, predictable moments, meditative therapy might give you a concrete tool for exactly those moments. Call 888-598-6299 or start your pre-assessment to learn more.
