Does Meditation work?

Has anyone here tried some forms of meditation and has meditation helped you get through some dark periods? Please share your stories. I would like to know more.

Some short videos by Tibetan Monk Mingyur Rinpoche

How to train your monkey mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PkrhH-bkpk

The Causes of Anxiety and Suffering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJs9Y2eqLuE

I have dabbled in Mindfulness Meditation, but have not done it on a continual basis. I have heard great things about it if you can incorporate it into your life.

What I have been using are breathing techniques (4 square breathing), if I find myself agitated or dealing with a particularly strong urge. It calms me and allows me to think properly.

I used a self-hypnosis video for gambling addiction in the first few months of my recovery journey . I never actually entered a true state of being hypnotized , but it imparted a calming influence and a positive message in my mind . It was more of a meditation-type experience and I feel that it helped me a great deal .

Did it " cure " me ? No , it did not . My recovery came through a combination of many different tactics , roadblocks , distractions and gamble-free time . Try everything .

I see. I may be suffering from some mild anxiety at the moment and I am trying out meditation to help myself. I do agree that we need other techniques, tactics and safeguards in place to prevent gambling relapses. Meditation is just another technique to calm the mind down.