Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on substance abuse

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v12i6.42205

Keywords:

Mindfulness; Substance-related disorders; Complementary therapies.

Abstract

This article sought to analyze existing studies on the use of mindfulness in the treatment of substance use disorder aiming to understand its impacts on substance abuse. The results showed that mindfulness can be an effective tool in the treatment of chemical dependencies, reducing substance use and controlling symptoms such as anxiety and depression. However, the results varied according to the type of substance and the profile of the patients. The studies reviewed indicate that mindfulness can help patients develop greater emotional awareness and reduce reactivity to stress, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders or depression. Furthermore, mindfulness can help patients develop greater ability to deal with difficult emotions and to regulate their emotional responses. However, there are some limitations in the reviewed studies. Most studies have short duration and do not assess the long-term impact of mindfulness. Furthermore, few studies have investigated the impact of mindfulness on patients dependent on substances other than alcohol and tobacco. In conclusion, mindfulness seems to be a promising tool in the treatment of chemical dependence. However, more research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of mindfulness in patients using different substances and patients with different profiles. This could help to improve the understanding the mechanisms of action of mindfulness in the treatment of chemical dependency and to develop more effective therapeutic approaches.

References

Amaro, H., & Black, D. S. (2021). Mindfulness-Based Intervention Effects on Substance Use and Relapse Among Women in Residential Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 8.5-Month Follow-Up Period From the Moment-by-Moment in Women's Recovery Project. Psychosomatic medicine, 83(6), 528–538. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000907

Araujo, M. S., Silva, L. G. D., Pereira, G. M. A., Pinto, N. F., Costa, F. M., Moreira, L., Nunes, D. P., Canan, M. G. M., & Oliveira, M. H. S. (2022). Mindfulness-based treatment for smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial. Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicacao oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia, 47(6), e20210254. https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e20210254

Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Clifasefi, S. L., Grow, J., Chawla, N., Hsu, S. H., Carroll, H. A., Harrop, E., Collins, S. E., Lustyk, M. K., & Larimer, M. E. (2014). Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention, standard relapse prevention, and treatment as usual for substance use disorders: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA psychiatry, 71(5), 547–556. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.4546

Brewer, J. A., Mallik, S., Babuscio, T. A., Nich, C., Johnson, H. E., Deleone, C. M., Minnix-Cotton, C. A., Byrne, S. A., Kober, H., Weinstein, A. J., Carroll, K. M., & Rounsaville, B. J. (2011). Mindfulness training for smoking cessation: results from a randomized controlled trial. Drug and alcohol dependence, 119(1-2), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.05.027

Butzer, B., LoRusso, A., Shin, S. H., & Khalsa, S. B. (2017). Evaluation of Yoga for Preventing Adolescent Substance Use Risk Factors in a Middle School Setting: A Preliminary Group-Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of youth and adolescence, 46(3), 603–632. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0513-3

Chaplin, T. M., Mauro, K. L., Curby, T. W., Niehaus, C., Fischer, S., Turpyn, C. C., Martelli, A. M., Miller, A. B., Leichtweis, R. N., Baer, R., & Sinha, R. (2021). Effects of A Parenting-Focused Mindfulness Intervention on Adolescent Substance Use and Psychopathology: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Research on child and adolescent psychopathology, 49(7), 861–875. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-021-00782-4

Cooperman, N. A., Hanley, A. W., Kline, A., & Garland, E. L. (2021). A pilot randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement as an adjunct to methadone treatment for people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain: Impact on illicit drug use, health, and well-being. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 127, 108468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108468

Davis, J. P., Berry, D., Dumas, T. M., Ritter, E., Smith, D. C., Menard, C., & Roberts, B. W. (2018). Substance use outcomes for mindfulness based relapse prevention are partially mediated by reductions in stress: Results from a randomized trial. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 91, 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2018.05.002

Davis, J. M., Goldberg, S. B., Anderson, M. C., Manley, A. R., Smith, S. S., & Baker, T. B. (2014). Randomized trial on mindfulness training for smokers targeted to a disadvantaged population. Substance use & misuse, 49(5), 571–585. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2013.770025

Davis, J. M., Manley, A. R., Goldberg, S. B., Smith, S. S., & Jorenby, D. E. (2014). Randomized trial comparing mindfulness training for smokers to a matched control. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 47(3), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2014.04.005

Davis, J. M., Mills, D. M., Stankevitz, K. A., Manley, A. R., Majeskie, M. R., & Smith, S. S. (2013). Pilot randomized trial on mindfulness training for smokers in young adult binge drinkers. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 13, 215. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-215

Ferrari, R. (2015). Writing narrative style literature reviews. Medical Writing, 24(4), 230-235. https://doi.org/10.1179/2047480615Z.000000000329

Galvão, Taís Freire, & Pereira, Mauricio Gomes. (2014). Revisões sistemáticas da literatura: passos para sua elaboração. Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, 23(1), 183-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742014000100018

Garland, E. L., Bryan, C. J., Finan, P. H., Thomas, E. A., Priddy, S. E., Riquino, M. R., & Howard, M. O. (2017). Pain, hedonic regulation, and opioid misuse: Modulation of momentary experience by Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement in opioid-treated chronic pain patients. Drug and alcohol dependence, 173 Suppl 1, S65–S72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.07.033

Garland, E. L., Hanley, A. W., Nakamura, Y., Barrett, J. W., Baker, A. K., Reese, S. E., Riquino, M. R., Froeliger, B., & Donaldson, G. W. (2022). Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement vs Supportive Group Therapy for Co-occurring Opioid Misuse and Chronic Pain in Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA internal medicine, 182(4), 407–417. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.0033

Garland, E. L., Hanley, A. W., Riquino, M. R., Reese, S. E., Baker, A. K., Salas, K., Yack, B. P., Bedford, C. E., Bryan, M. A., Atchley, R., Nakamura, Y., Froeliger, B., & Howard, M. O. (2019). Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces opioid misuse risk via analgesic and positive psychological mechanisms: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 87(10), 927–940. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000390

Garland, E. L., Manusov, E. G., Froeliger, B., Kelly, A., Williams, J. M., & Howard, M. O. (2014). Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement for chronic pain and prescription opioid misuse: results from an early-stage randomized controlled trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 82(3), 448–459. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035798

Garland, E. L., Roberts-Lewis, A., Tronnier, C. D., Graves, R., & Kelley, K. (2016). Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement versus CBT for co-occurring substance dependence, traumatic stress, and psychiatric disorders: Proximal outcomes from a pragmatic randomized trial. Behaviour research and therapy, 77, 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.11.01

Lyons, T., Womack, V. Y., Cantrell, W. D., & Kenemore, T. (2019). Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention in a Jail Drug Treatment Program. Substance use & misuse, 54(1), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2018.1491054

Lotfalian, S., Spears, C. A., & Juliano, L. M. (2020). The effects of mindfulness-based yogic breathing on craving, affect, and smoking behavior. Psychology of addictive behaviors: journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 34(2), 351–359. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000536

Popay, J., Roberts, H., Sowden, A., Petticrew, M., Arai, L., Rodgers, M., ... & Duffy, S. (2006). Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews. A product from the ESRC methods programme Version, 1(1), b92.

Price, C. J., Thompson, E. A., Crowell, S. E., Pike, K., Cheng, S. C., Parent, S., & Hooven, C. (2019). Immediate effects of interoceptive awareness training through Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) for women in substance use disorder treatment. Substance abuse, 40(1), 102–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2018.1488335

Price, C. J., Thompson, E. A., Crowell, S., & Pike, K. (2019). Longitudinal effects of interoceptive awareness training through mindful awareness in body-oriented therapy (MABT) as an adjunct to women's substance use disorder treatment: A randomized controlled trial. Drug and alcohol dependence, 198, 140–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.02.012

Santos, C. M. D. C., Pimenta, C. A. D. M., & Nobre, M. R. C. (2007). The PICO strategy for the research question construction and evidence search. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 15(3), 508–511. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-11692007000300023

Schuman-Olivier, Z., Hoeppner, B. B., Evins, A. E., & Brewer, J. A. (2014). Finding the right match: mindfulness training may potentiate the therapeutic effect of nonjudgment of inner experience on smoking cessation. Substance use & misuse, 49(5), 586–594. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2014.850254

Shiffman, S., Brockwell, S. E., Pillitteri, J. L., & Gitchell, J. G. (2008). Use of smoking-cessation treatments in the United States. American journal of preventive medicine, 34(2), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2007.09.033

Shorey, R. C., Brasfield, H., Anderson, S., & Stuart, G. L. (2013). Mindfulness deficits in a sample of substance abuse treatment seeking adults: a descriptive investigation. Journal of substance use, 19(1-2), 194–198. https://doi.org/10.3109/14659891.2013.770570

Shorey, R. C., Elmquist, J., Gawrysiak, M. J., Strauss, C., Haynes, E., Anderson, S., & Stuart, G. L. (2017). A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness and Acceptance Group Therapy for Residential Substance Use Patients. Substance use & misuse, 52(11), 1400–1410. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2017.1284232

Spears, C. A., Hedeker, D., Li, L., Wu, C., Anderson, N. K., Houchins, S. C., Vinci, C., Hoover, D. S., Vidrine, J. I., Cinciripini, P. M., Waters, A. J., & Wetter, D. W. (2017). Mechanisms underlying mindfulness-based addiction treatment versus cognitive behavioral therapy and usual care for smoking cessation. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 85(11), 1029–1040. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000229

Sterne, J. A. C., Savović, J., Page, M. J., Elbers, R. G., Blencowe, N. S., Boutron, I., Cates, C. J., Cheng, H. Y., Corbett, M. S., Eldridge, S. M., Emberson, J. R., Hernán, M. A., Hopewell, S., Hróbjartsson, A., Junqueira, D. R., Jüni, P., Kirkham, J. J., Lasserson, T., Li, T., . . . Higgins, J. P. T. (2019). RoB 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ, l4898. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4898

Vidrine, J. I., Spears, C. A., Heppner, W. L., Reitzel, L. R., Marcus, M. T., Cinciripini, P. M., Waters, A. J., Li, Y., Nguyen, N. T., Cao, Y., Tindle, H. A., Fine, M., Safranek, L. V., & Wetter, D. W. (2016). Efficacy of mindfulness-based addiction treatment (MBAT) for smoking cessation and lapse recovery: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 84(9), 824–838. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000117

Witkiewitz, K., Greenfield, B. L., & Bowen, S. (2013). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention with racial and ethnic minority women. Addictive behaviors, 38(12), 2821–2824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.08.018

Witkiewitz, K., Warner, K., Sully, B., Barricks, A., Stauffer, C., Thompson, B. L., & Luoma, J. B. (2014). Randomized trial comparing mindfulness-based relapse prevention with relapse prevention for women offenders at a residential addiction treatment center. Substance use & misuse, 49(5), 536–546. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2013.856922

Zgierska, A. E., Burzinski, C. A., Mundt, M. P., McClintock, A. S., Cox, J., Coe, C. L., Miller, M. M., & Fleming, M. F. (2019). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 100, 8–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.013

Published

20/06/2023

How to Cite

THIAGO, J. V. M. .; SANTOS, E. R. .; VIDA, H. C. O. .; SILVA, E. A. A. da . Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on substance abuse . Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 12, n. 6, p. e20512642205, 2023. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v12i6.42205. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/42205. Acesso em: 3 may. 2024.

Issue

Section

Health Sciences