Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A Clinician's Guide,by Sarah Bowen, Neha Chawla, and G. Alan Marlatt

Mindfulness practice moderates the relationship between craving and substance use in a clinical sample

“…Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) is a treatment based on RP, and includes mindfulness practices focused on developing more skillful responses to craving (Bowen, Chawla, & Marlatt, 2011;Witkiewitz, Bowen, et al, 2013;Witkiewitz, Marlatt, & Walker, 2005). Mindfulness practices may increase the ability of individuals with substance use disorders to accept the unpleasant physical, affective and cognitive experiences of craving, and resist engaging in substance-seeking behavior to alleviate the discomfort (Witkiewitz et al, 2005).…”

“…Although treatment for substance use disorders frequently identify craving as dangerous and to be avoided or reduced, in mindfulness-based interventions the experience of craving is investigated through experiential practices. People are encouraged to observe their experience within sessions as an introduction to the practice of formal and informal skills and behavioral repertoires that increase mindfulness and acceptance outside of group meetings (Bowen et al, 2011). Mindfulness practice may develop skillful coping via the awareness and acceptance of craving without selfdistraction or behavioral disengagement, as hypothesized by behavioral and neurobiological models (Brewer et al, 2014;Witkiewitz, Lustyk, et al, 2013), and demonstrated in recent experimental findings (Grow, Collins, Harrop, & Marlatt, 2015;Moore et al, 2014;Elwafi et al, 2013;Ostafin et al, 2012),…”

Mindfulness Meditation-Based Intervention Is Feasible, Acceptable, and Safe for Chronic Low Back Pain Requiring Long-Term Daily Opioid Therapy

“…This is a brief five-step mindfulness practice that can be used in physically, mentally, or emotionally distressing situations to facilitate pausing, decrease inner suffering, and create a healthier, mindful response to the situation (adapted from the existing brief SOBER meditation). 25,26 MM, mindfulness meditation.…”

“…[14][15][16][17] It can result in unique skills for chronic pain management, such as acceptance, complementing those acquired through CBT, a part of ''usual care'' for chronic pain, [18][19][20][21][22] and potentially enhancing its benefits. [21][22][23][24][25][26] MM is perceived as safe and effective for pain reduction and has established empirical support for reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress-all problems commonly co-occurring with and affecting outcomes in chronic pain. 27,28 Research has indicated that MM practice can influence function of the brain areas associated with pain, attention, and emotional response, implicating them as potential mechanisms of action.…”

The Positive Psychology of Recovery: A Review

“…Recovery literature [14][15][16] supports the building of a more enriching, meaningful and engaged life as a path to healing. PP offers an important voice in the recovery movement, a non-pathologizing and affirming theory that honestly addresses pain and suffering while providing practical strategies that guide a person to build increasing mastery in their personal lives.…”