Mindfulness-based programs for substance use disorders: a systematic review of manualized treatments

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorders are prevalent and returning to substance use (i.e., relapse) following treatment is common, underscoring the need for effective treatments that will help individuals maintain long-term reductions in substance use. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly developed and evaluated for the treatment of substance use disorders. The aim of this article was to update a systematic review conducted by Li et al. in 2017 on the outcomes of randomized control trials of MBIs for substance use disorders. In addition, we provided a session-by-session examination of the most widely used MBI protocols. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases from January of 2016 through April of 2020. Studies were included based on the following criteria: 1) examined the effects of an MBI, 2) employed a randomized controlled trial design with repeated measures, including secondary data analyses of randomized controlled trials, and 3) enrolled participants seeking treatment for substance use disorders. Results: The search identified 902 publications and 30 studies were eligible for inclusion and data extraction. MBIs appear to be as effective as existing evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders at reducing the frequency and quantity of alcohol and drug use, substance-related problems, craving for substance use, and at increasing the rate of abstinence. Conclusions: Future directions include additional large scale randomized controlled trials, investigation of the most suitable settings and protocols, examination of patient populations that may benefit most from MBIs, and dissemination and implementation research.

Mindfulness in Treatment Approaches for Addiction — Underlying Mechanisms and Future Directions

“…In addition, brief mindfulness trainings have been investigated to elucidate the direct effect of mindfulness meditation on cognitive functioning or substance use [70,93]. The assessment of brief mindfulness training on different cognitive and neurobiological variables is crucial, as conclusions regarding specific mechanistical effects are challenging because MBIs are characteristically composed of a variety of interventional techniques [22]. For instance, MBRP combines mindfulness meditation practices with cognitive behavioral relapse prevention treatment [6], while MORE integrates training in mindfulness with reappraisal and savoring skills [7].…”

“…The authors further conclude that MBRP and MORE were the most effective intervention programs. Tying in with the systematic review by Li et al [20], a more recent systematic review concludes MBIs to be as effective, and in some cases more effective than control interventions that were mostly comprised of standard treatment approaches [22]. MBIs in the treatment of tobacco use specifically were assessed by one meta-analysis that emphasized that the reviewed evidence was characterized by poor quality and small sample sizes [23].…”

Residential Greenspace and Urban Adolescent Substance Use: Exploring Interactive Effects with Peer Network Health, Sex, and Executive Function

“…These linkages are not unexpected, as EF is linked with greater mindfulness empirically [ 64 , 65 ], and mindfulness training influences growth in EF skills [ 66 ] as well as changes in the brain regions associated with EF skills [ 67 ]. Mindfulness-based interventions are effective methods of reducing the frequency and quantity of alcohol and drug use, substance-related problems, and cravings [ 68 ]. Moreover, improvements in EF achieved in mindfulness programs can improve functioning in daily activities [ 69 ].…”

Sustainability planning in the US response to the opioid crisis: An examination using expert and text mining approaches

“…Unless there was a clear indication of how a program would be sustained, that component of sustainability was scored as absent. A full qualitative assessments of sustainability plans by interviewing previous and current single state authorities (SSAs) has also analyzed the context, intentions and difficulties on implementing sustainability plans on a recently published paper [ 19 ].…”

“…As an example, a positive score of one (1) is given on funding when an SOR application met the criteria described above for funding, otherwise a score of zero (0) is given when it lacked an indication of sustainable funding or simply mentioned there would be future funding but gave no clear plans. We developed a new protocol for sustainability coding based on a full qualitative assessments of sustainability plans by interviewing previous and current single state authorities (SSAs) on recently published work [ 19 ]. The highest score of 5 was assigned to SOR proposals that met all three criteria for its clear discussions of sustainability.…”