The general theme of the first module is automatic pilot, which is defined as acting without awareness. How automatic pilot relates to relapse is that when individuals experience cravings to drink or use, they often engage in reactive behaviors, acting on them without full awareness of what just occurred and what the consequences may be. Mindfulness comes in to the lesson by using it to bring awareness to the tendency to engage in automatic pilot, and then learn ways to begin shifting from habitual, often self-defeating behavior, to observing what is happening in their minds and bodies without automatically reacting. The primary intention of this first lesson is to introduce the major topics of the intervention and to begin discriminating between automatic versus mindful awareness.

The central theme in the third module is to circle back to the central idea of using mindful meditation to increase awareness. The simplest way to do this is to focus on your breath to ground you in the present. With this presence and awareness, we are often less reactive and can make decisions from a stronger, clearer space.