Substance Use Disorder and Recovery
Opioid use is the #1 cause of death for Americans under 50 years of age, killing more than 65,000 people in our country every year. Alcohol-related deaths number 88,000 every year. Combined, these addictions cost over $320 billion a year, and the costs are mounting.
In addition to the economic impact, the costs in human suffering are beyond measure. The government and the health industry struggles about how to control this national crisis. That’s where DLF steps in. Transcendental Meditation® offers an extremely cost-effective solution to the crisis of substance use disorder.
Our partnerships with foundations, philanthropists, corporations and government agencies make it possible for the David Lynch Foundation to bring TM to adults and youth battling substance use disorder. Measurable physical and emotional results often take place within hours, or days. These claims are backed with clinical, peer-reviewed research, including a 2018 study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment which found regular TM practice to be strongly effective against a return to heavy drinking after treatment for people battling alcohol use disorder.
To learn more about our Recovery program, please contact: info@dlfcaucasus.org
50%
decrease in daily drinking in college students practicing TM – Addiction Research and Theory
“TM should be the first mental health program that prison systems offer. The way your brain is working when you get to prison needs to be brought into balance before any mental health programs can be effective. And TM does just that.”
HIV/AIDS
More than 1.1 million people are living with HIV or AIDS in the U.S. today. In addition to their physical symptoms, many suffer anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and other stress-related disorders due to their illness. This is of special concern, since prolonged, traumatic stress and depression can inhibit the immune system, and can lead to an increased viral load and decreased CD4 counts (a molecule that serves as a receptor for HIV), accelerating HIV disease progression. Transcendental Meditation is an important tool in growing number of HIV/AIDS treatment centers and hospitals to quell stress and increase vitality, emotional well-being, and overall health.
Correctional Institutions
The U.S. has the highest rate of incarcerations in the world – more than 2.4 million people are currently serving time – one out of every 100 adults. More than 50% of released offenders return to prison within three years. The cost to incarcerate one inmate is estimated at $65,000 a year; well above the median U.S. income.
Inmates endure tremendous, ongoing stress from violence, isolation, loss of identity, and more. Correctional officers also experience traumatic stress from daily verbal abuse and physical assaults.
For over 40 years, Transcendental Meditation has been offered in many of the nation’s maximum and medium security prisons to heal the trauma that fuels violent behavior in inmates and staff alike. Years of clinical research show marked reductions in recidivism rates, rule infractions, and stress-induced outbursts in prisons where TM is practiced. Inmates also exhibit increased optimism and purposefulness.
To learn more about our work with those living HIV/AIDS and with prisons, please contact: info@dlfcaucasus.org