Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population.
Sarah Bowen, Katie Witkiewitz, Tiara M Dillworth, Neharika Chawla, Tracy L. Simpson, Brian D. Ostafin, Mary E. Larimer, Arthur W. Blume, George A. Parks, G. Alan Marlatt
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors August 28, 2006 DOI: 10.1037/0893-164x.20.3.343 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Incarcerated population |
| Topics | Addiction Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychosocial Clinical psychology Substance abuse Population Mindfulness meditation Alcohol abuse |
| Citations | 495 |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active September 2016 |
| Key findings | Vipassana meditation course participants showed significant reductions in alcohol, marijuana, and crack cocaine use, decreases in alcohol-related problems and psychiatric symptoms, and increases in positive psychosocial outcomes compared to a treatment-as-usual control condition. |
Abstract
Despite the availability of various substance abuse treatments, alcohol and drug misuse and related negative consequences remain prevalent. Vipassana meditation (VM), a Buddhist mindfulness-based practice, provides an alternative for individuals who do not wish to attend or have not succeeded with traditional addiction treatments. In this study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of a VM course on substance use and psychosocial outcomes in an incarcerated population. Results indicate that after release from jail, participants in the VM course, as compared with those in a treatment-as-usual control condition, showed significant reductions in alcohol, marijuana, and crack cocaine use. VM participants showed decreases in alcohol-related problems and psychiatric symptoms as well as increases in positive psychosocial outcomes. The utility of mindfulness-based treatments for substance use is discussed.