E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Drug Addiction

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 2 FEBRUARY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

The Role of Meditation in Combating Drug Addiction: A Review

Yadav M1*, Kadam M2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.2.40

1* Manish Yadav, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Dravyaguna, YMT Ayurveda Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

2 Manoj Kadam, Professor and HOD, Dept of Dravyaguna, YMT Ayurveda Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Introduction: Drug addiction is a global issue that severely impacts individuals’ physical, psychological, and social well-being. Despite advances in treatment, high relapse rates highlight the need for holistic approaches. Meditation, a practice rooted in mindfulness, offers a promising complementary therapy by addressing addiction’s complex psychological and physiological challenges.

Objectives: To examine the role of meditation in addiction recovery, focusing on its psychological, physiological, and neurological impacts, and its integration with conventional treatments.

Data Source: A review of peer-reviewed studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses from databases like PubMed and Scopus, covering research up to 2025 on meditation and addiction recovery.

Review Method: Relevant studies were analyzed to evaluate the effects of meditation on reducing cravings, improving emotional regulation, preventing relapse, and supporting long-term recovery. Both quantitative and qualitative findings were included.

Results: Meditation reduces cravings and enhances emotional regulation by influencing key brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. It fosters mindfulness, improving self-control and resilience to triggers. When combined with conventional therapies, meditation significantly lowers relapse rates and promotes overall well-being.

Conclusion: Meditation is an effective complementary tool for managing drug addiction. By addressing addiction’s psychological and physiological dimensions, it enhances recovery outcomes. Further research should validate its efficacy through large-scale trials across diverse populations.

Keywords: Behaviour therapy, De-addiction, Drug addiction, Drug withdrawal, Meditation, Mindfulness, Neurology, Psychology

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Manish Yadav, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Dravyaguna, YMT Ayurveda Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Yadav M, Kadam M, The Role of Meditation in Combating Drug Addiction: A Review. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(2):285-290.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4142/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-01-09 2025-01-24 2025-02-04 2025-02-14 2025-02-24
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nill Not required 12.85

© 2025by Yadav M, Kadam M and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)285
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Manish Y et al. The Role of Meditation in Combating Drug Addiction

Introduction

Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive substance use despite adverse consequences. It affects millions globally, disrupting lives and imposing significant economic and social burdens.

Conventional treatment methods, including pharmacological interventions and behavioural therapies, are often insufficient in addressing the psychological and physiological triggers of addiction, leading to frequent relapses. Meditation, an ancient practice with roots in spiritual traditions, has gained recognition as a complementary intervention in modern addiction management.

At its core, meditation involves focusing the mind to achieve a state of calmness, clarity, and heightened self-awareness. It encompasses various techniques such as mindfulness, focused attention, loving-kindness, and body scanning, each designed to enhance mental and physical well-being.

Research shows that meditation influences brain regions implicated in addiction, such as the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making, and the limbic system, responsible for emotional regulation.

Additionally, it induces significant physiological changes in the body, such as reduced stress hormone levels and improved autonomic nervous system function, which help individuals manage addiction triggers effectively.

This article explores meditation's role in drug addiction recovery, focusing on its psychological, physiological, and neurological impacts, and its potential for integration into structured treatment programs.

Global and India Drug Addiction Statistics

Global Statistics

Prevalence of Drug Use: In 2021, approximately 296 million people aged 15–64 worldwide used drugs, marking a 23% increase over the previous decade.Drug Use Disorders: The number of individuals suffering from drug use disorders has risen to 39.5 million, a 45% increase over the past decade.

Cannabis Use: Cannabis remains the most widely used drug globally, with 228 million users.

Opioid Use: Opioids are used by 60 million people worldwide.

India Statistics

Prevalence of Drug Use: A 2023 survey estimated that 1.30% of children and adolescents (10–17 years) and 17.10% of adults (18–75 years) in India use alcohol.

Cannabis Use: Cannabis use is reported at 0.90% among children and adolescents and 3.30% among adults.

Opioid Use: Opioid use prevalence is 1.80% among children and adolescents and 2.10% among adults.

Sedative Use: Sedative use is reported at 0.58% among children and adolescents and 1.21% among adults.

Inhalant Use: Inhalant use is reported at 1.17% among children and adolescents and 0.58% among adults.

Cocaine Use: Cocaine use is reported at 0.06% among children and adolescents and 0.11% among adults.

Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Use: ATS use is reported at 0.18% among both children and adolescents and adults.

Hallucinogen Use: Hallucinogen use is reported at 0.07% among children and adolescents.

These statistics underscore the critical need for effective interventions, such as meditation, to address the growing drug addiction challenges both globally and within India.

Aim

To evaluate the role of meditation in drug addiction recovery, focusing on its psychological, physiological, and neurological impacts, and its potential integration with conventional treatments.

Objectives

1. Assess the impact of meditation on addiction recovery.
2. Compare meditation with conventional addiction treatments.
3. Evaluate its effects on cravings, relapse rates, and emotional regulation.
4. Analyze neurological and physiological benefits.


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Methods

A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO were searched using keywords like "meditation," "drug addiction," "mindfulness," and "substance use disorders." Inclusion criteria involved studies focusing on the impact of meditation on addiction outcomes, while exclusion criteria eliminated articles lacking empirical evidence.

How to Practice Meditation

Meditation is accessible and can be practiced with minimal resources. The following steps outline a basic meditation practice:

1. Find a Quiet Space: Select a calm, distraction-free environment.
2. Adopt a Comfortable Posture: Sit or lie down in a position that promotes relaxation but avoids drowsiness.
3. Focus on Breathing: Pay attention to the natural rhythm of your breath, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
4. Practice Mindfulness: Observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing them to pass like clouds in the sky.
5. Start Small: Begin with 5-10 minutes daily, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable.

Common Types of Meditation in Addiction Recovery Include:

Mindfulness Meditation: Promotes present-moment awareness and helps individuals manage cravings.

Loving-Kindness Meditation: Encourages self-compassion and emotional healing, crucial for addressing guilt and shame.

Body Scan Meditation: Focuses on physical sensations to promote relaxation & manage stress.

These techniques are often integrated into structured programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), tailored to support individuals in addiction recovery.

Results

Psychological Benefits

Meditation significantly enhances self-awareness and emotional regulation,

two critical factors in addiction recovery. Individuals practicing meditation reported:

Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common relapse triggers.

Improved self-compassion, helping them rebuild self-esteem and overcome feelings of guilt.

Studies show that mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) reduces cravings and substance use while improving emotional resilience.

Physiological Changes and Benefits

Meditation induces significant physiological changes in the body, which contribute to addiction recovery:

Reduction in Stress Hormones: Meditation lowers cortisol levels, reducing the physiological stress response that often triggers cravings.

Improved Autonomic Nervous System Function: Meditation balances the autonomic nervous system by enhancing parasympathetic activity (rest-and-digest response) and reducing sympathetic activity (fight-or-flight response). This helps individuals experience a sense of calm and stability.

Lower Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Regular meditation reduces heart rate and blood pressure, alleviating physical stress and promoting overall cardiovascular health.

Enhanced Immune Function: Meditation strengthens immune responses, which are often compromised in individuals with long-term substance use.

Improved Neuroendocrine Function: Meditation positively affects hormone regulation, stabilizing mood and reducing the emotional dysregulation caused by addiction.

These physiological changes not only improve overall health but also help individuals better manage physical symptoms of withdrawal and stress-induced cravings.

Neurological Impacts

Meditation induces profound changes in the brain:

Strengthens the prefrontal cortex, enhancing impulse control and decision-making.

Reduces hyperactivity in the amygdala, decreasing emotional reactivity and cravings.

Improves functional connectivity between brain regions, fostering better self-regulation.


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Neuroimaging studies demonstrate that meditation increases gray matter density in areas associated with self-control, counteracting the neurological damage caused by addiction.

Behavioural Outcomes

Meditation positively influences behaviour, helping individuals in recovery to:

Develop healthier coping mechanisms for managing stress and cravings.

Build stronger support networks through group meditation practices.

Improve interpersonal relationships by cultivating empathy and patience.

Participants reported improved adherence to recovery protocols and a stronger commitment to sobriety.

Long-Term Impacts

Long-term meditation practice has shown sustained benefits, including:

Lower relapse rates due to enhanced emotional resilience and stress management.

Continued neurological improvements, promoting lasting behavioural changes.

Improved overall well-being, including better sleep and reduced anxiety.

However, adherence to meditation practices can be challenging, highlighting the need for personalized approaches and ongoing support.

Discussion

Meditation addresses addiction's psychological, physiological, and neurological dimensions, making it a valuable complement to traditional treatments. By enhancing self-awareness, reducing stress, and fostering emotional regulation, meditation helps individuals build resilience against relapse. Its ability to reduce stress hormone levels, balance the autonomic nervous system, and promote neuroendocrine stability further underscores its role in addiction recovery. However, challenges such as individual variability in outcomes and maintaining consistent practice must be addressed. Integrating meditation into mainstream treatment programs, coupled with tailored support, can maximize its benefits and ensure sustained recovery outcomes.

Conclusion

Meditation is a promising adjunct therapy in managing drug addiction, addressing the condition's multifaceted nature through its psychological, physiological, and neurological benefits. While it cannot replace traditional treatments, it offers a holistic approach to recovery, helping individuals achieve long-term sobriety and improved well-being. Future research should focus on standardizing meditation protocols and exploring its integration into structured addiction recovery programs.

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