Integration of Transcendental Meditation® (TM) into alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment.
Jan Gryczynski, Robert Schwartz, Marc J Fishman, Courtney D Nordeck, James Grant, Sanford Nidich, Stuart Rothenberg, Kevin E O'Grady
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment April 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort with sequential assignment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Meditation-naïve adults with primary alcohol use disorder newly admitted to inpatient treatment |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Dose | twice-daily |
| Duration | 3-month follow-up post-discharge |
| Topics | Addiction Meditation |
| Keywords | Craving Relapse prevention Stress Transcendental meditation Treatment |
| Key findings | Consistently practicing Transcendental Meditation twice daily, but not just learning it, was associated with reduced return to any drinking and heavy drinking post-discharge. |
Abstract
Maladaptive responses to stress are thought to play a role in addiction and relapse. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a popular meditation technique with promising clinical applications. This study sought to: (a) examine the feasibility of providing TM during AUD treatment; (b) compare outcomes for TM vs. treatment as usual (TAU); and (c) investigate the relationship between TM practice and outcomes. Meditation-naïve adults with primary AUD (N = 60; 35% female, 60% white) newly admitted to inpatient treatment were recruited in sequential cohorts (30 receiving TAU and 30 receiving TM training). Assessments were conducted at baseline and 3-months post-discharge. Integrating TM into inpatient AUD treatment was feasible. Uptake of TM was high (85% meditating on most of the past 30 days at follow-up; 61% closely adherent to recommended practice of twice-daily TM). Participants reported high satisfaction with TM. The sample as a whole improved on multiple measures after AUD treatment, but there were no significant differences between TM and TAU cohorts. However, those practicing TM twice-daily as recommended were less likely than the rest of the sample to return to any drinking (25% vs. 59%; p = .02) or heavy drinking post-discharge (0% vs. 47%, p < .001). Greater regularity of TM practice was inversely correlated with stress, psychological distress, craving, and alcohol use at follow-up. This study established the feasibility and acceptability of using TM during AUD treatment. Consistently practicing TM (but not just learning it) was associated with better outcomes. These promising findings warrant further investigation in larger, controlled studies.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Rural aboriginal population | 2013 | Observational study | |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
| Breakdown of long-range temporal dependence in default mode and attention networks during deep sleep Human participants across the nonrapid eye movement sleep cycle | 2013 | Observational cohort | |
| Assessment of addiction severity among ritual users of ayahuasca Regular ayahuasca users (jungle-based and urban-based) and matched controls | 2010 | Observational cohort | n = 127 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- A pilot intervention to reduce burnout and enhance resilience through transcendental meditation among Georgetown University medical students. BMC Medical Education April 3, 2025
- Cost-effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PLoS One 2025
- Producing Altered States of Consciousness, Reducing Substance Misuse: A Review of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Transcendental Meditation and Hypnotherapy Psychoactives March 25, 2024
- Improving happiness, resilience, and self-efficacy while reducing stress for rural Lebanese women using the Transcendental Meditation practice: A randomized controlled trial. Women's Health 2026
- Transcendental Meditation for Women Affected by Domestic Violence: A Pilot Randomised, Controlled Trial Journal of Family Violence April 19, 2023
and 1 more in the library
Cites 17
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Blood Pressure Response to Transcendental Meditation: A Meta-analysis American Journal of Hypertension February 29, 2008
- Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Technique on Trait Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 9, 2013
- Treating and Preventing Alcohol, Nicotine, and Drug Abuse Through Transcendental Meditation: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly October 26, 1994
and 12 more in the library