Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
August 28, 2006
Sarah Bowen, Katie Witkiewitz, Tiara Dillworth et al.
495 citations
A Vipassana meditation course given in jail led to significant reductions in alcohol, marijuana, and crack cocaine use after release, compared to standard treatment. Participants also experienced fewer alcohol-related problems and psychiatric symptoms, along with improvements in positive psychosocial outcomes. The findings suggest mindfulness-based practices offer a viable alternative for individuals who have not succeeded with or do not wish to attend traditional addiction treatments.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
April 4, 2024
Michael Christopher, Sarah Bowen, Katie Witkiewitz et al.
9 citations
Law enforcement officers face high stress that harms mental health and can lead to aggression and excessive force. A multi-site, randomized, single-blind clinical feasibility trial tested mindfulness-based resilience training (MBRT) against stress management education and a no-intervention control. The study aimed to refine protocols for a future full-scale trial. Recruitment, retention, and acceptability of MBRT were high, and assessment and intervention protocols were delivered with fidelity. Several physiological and self-report measures showed responsiveness to change. These results prepare for a larger trial testing whether MBRT improves officer health and resilience and reduces aggression and excessive use of force, benefiting communities.
Frontiers in public health
January 1, 2024
Mayra Pires Alves Machado, Emérita Sátiro Opaleye, Andre Bedendo et al.
3 citations
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) as an add-on to outpatient treatment for substance use disorder is feasible in a socially vulnerable Brazilian population, though it faces challenges. A mixed-methods study in eight public Psychosocial Care Centers in São Paulo with 140 participants, 24 healthcare professionals, and 7 managers ran 17 MBRP groups. Qualitative data from interviews and field notes, combined with quantitative pre-post measures of consumption, depression, anxiety, craving, readiness to change, and dependence severity, showed positive acceptance and mental health benefits despite high dropout due to social factors and initial cultural misperceptions of meditation. Adapting the protocol format is needed for effective integration into public healthcare.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
September 1, 2023
Therese K Killeen, Nathaniel L Baker, Lori L Davis et al.
3 citations
A randomized controlled trial compared mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) to 12-step facilitation (TSF) as aftercare for veterans who completed intensive substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Both groups maintained reductions in alcohol and illicit substance use during aftercare. Nineteen participants (11%) reported returning to alcohol use during treatment, with no difference between MBRP (9%) and TSF (13%). Thirteen participants (7.5%) reported illicit substance use, again similar between groups (MBRP 5.4% vs. TSF 10.3%). Days of drinking and illicit substance use also did not differ. Although low treatment retention limits interpretation, both approaches helped sustain treatment gains.
Substance use & addiction journal
July 1, 2025
Kristoffer Rehder, Benjamin J Morasco, Sarah Bowen
1 citation
Mindfulness facets relate to substance use disorder factors in veterans, but not always in expected ways. Among 159 veterans in a VA SUD treatment program, after accounting for PTSD, depression, and craving, the mindfulness facet 'observe' was linked to more frequent alcohol use, 'non-judging' to more hazardous alcohol use, and 'non-reactivity' to fewer consequences from substance use. Non-reactivity also appeared to mediate the connection between PTSD and consequences. The positive associations of observe and non-judging with worse outcomes were contrary to hypotheses, suggesting that mindfulness-based interventions for veterans with co-occurring PTSD and SUD may require careful tailoring.