Systematic Reviews of Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: Should we be using Third Wave Therapies?
Alcohol and Alcoholism March 1, 2019 Simon P. Byrne, P. Haber, A. Baillie et al.
Third wave therapies such as mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) show preliminary value for treating alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A systematic review of 17 studies found that both therapies are better than no treatment or treatments with minimal efficacy, and some evidence suggests they are comparable to effective psychosocial treatments for AUDs. ACT and mindfulness may offer an alternative for patients who have not responded to or disengaged from standard treatments, and they may also help with co-occurring mental health conditions. However, more research with randomized controlled designs, larger samples, and longer follow-ups is needed to confirm their utility.