Psychological stress can be viewed as an imbalance in person‐environment relationships. This relationship is mediated by 2 main factors: cognitive appraisal and coping. If a situation is appraised as stressful, negative coping will occur. One such coping mechanism is substance abuse. This paper explores the use of meditation as an alternative coping strategy. Meditation affects the appraisal of the situation helping people to avoid judgment and instead except the present moment. Mindful meditation can help to recover addicts and form an alternative relationship to difficult thoughts, feelings, and sensations associated with withdrawal and thus decrease relapse and suffering.