Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Craving Control and Sleep Quality among Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review
Dipali Mandal, Faridah Mohd Said, Santhna Letchmi Panduragan
Journal of Nursing Practices and Research 2026 DOI: 10.36647/jnpr/06.01.a004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Clients with substance abuse or substance use disorders |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Addiction Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report that mindfulness-based interventions were associated with reduced substance cravings, better emotional regulation, and enhanced sleep quality. Some included studies also reported neurocognitive improvements and higher relapse prevention among patients receiving these interventions. The authors conclude that mindfulness-based interventions show strong potential as a complementary addiction treatment approach, while calling for further standardized and longitudinal research. |
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are often associated with patients' experiencing cravings, risk of relapse and poorsleep quality, all of which significantly affect their chance of recovery. In the present research, a systematic review has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in reducing substance cravings and improving sleep quality among clients with substance abuse. PRISMA guidelines have been followed, and a structured search has been carried out across all major databases to identify 290 records. Inclusion and exclusion criteria have been maintained for selecting a total of 18 articles published between the year 2017 and 2026. The findings of the research have indicated the significant impact of MBIs in reducing craving levels, better emotional regulation and enhanced sleep. A number of studies in the research have also shown neurocognitive improvements and higher relapse prevention among patients who received the MBI treatment. Overall, MBIs demonstrate strong potential as a complementary approach in addiction treatment, though further standardised and longitudinal research is required. Keywords : Craving, drug addiction, mindfulness therapy, rehabilitation centre, sleep disturbances, substance abuse.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine use: a review Ketamine users | 2011 | Systematic review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review Individuals with substance use disorders | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review | 2018 | Systematic review | |
| Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review | 2021 | Systematic review | |
| Therapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials Patients with psychiatric disorders, primarily alcoholism | 2020 | Systematic review | n = 567 |