Efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention in a sample of veterans in a substance use disorder aftercare program: A randomized controlled trial.
Therese K Killeen, Nathaniel L Baker, Lori L. Davis, Sarah Bowen, Kathleen T Brady
Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209116 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 174 |
| Population | Military veterans following completion of intensive treatment for substance use disorders |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based relapse prevention 12-step facilitation |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 3-, 6-, and 10-month follow-up |
| Topics | Addiction Meditation |
| Keywords | Veterans |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Both mindfulness-based relapse prevention and 12-step facilitation aftercare were similarly effective in maintaining reductions in alcohol and illicit substance use among veterans with substance use disorders. |
Abstract
Complementary integrative medicine, such as mindfulness-based interventions, (MBI) have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders (SUDs), and pain. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is an aftercare intervention targeting SUD relapse that integrates cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention and mindfulness meditation practices, raising awareness of substance use triggers and reactive behavioral patterns. This study evaluated the efficacy of MBRP in reducing relapse in veterans following completion of an SUD treatment program. This study was a two-site, randomized controlled trial comparing MBRP to 12-step facilitation (TSF) aftercare in military veterans following completion of intensive treatment for SUDs. The 8 weeks of 90-minute, group-based MBRP or TSF sessions were followed by 3-, 6- and 10-month follow-up periods with assessments of alcohol/substance use and secondary outcomes of depression, anxiety, and mindfulness. Forty-seven percent of veterans attended ≥75 % of sessions. Veterans in both the MBRP and TSF aftercare groups maintained reductions in alcohol and illicit substance use during the aftercare treatment. Nineteen participants (11 %; 19/174) reported returning to alcohol use during the study treatment period and the study found no difference between study groups [MBRP: 9 % vs. TSF 13 %; p = 0.42]. Thirteen participants (7.5 %; 13/174) reported a return to illicit substance use during study treatment [MBRP: 5.4 % vs. TSF 10.3 % p = 0.34]. The number of days of drinking and illicit substance use was not different between groups (alcohol, p = 0.53; illicit substance use, p = 0.28). Although retention in treatment limits interpretation of the findings, both MBRP and TSF were effective in maintenance of treatment gains following an intensive treatment program for veterans with SUDs. Future studies should focus on strategies to improve treatment participation.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Psychiatry March 29, 2018
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of current depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis Cognitive Behaviour Therapy February 8, 2019
- Mindfulness-based programs for substance use disorders: a systematic review of manualized treatments Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy July 29, 2020
- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Addictive Behavior, Psychiatric Distress, and Chronic Pain: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Mindfulness September 15, 2022
and 10 more in the library