Mindfulness Training vs Recovery Support for Opioid Use, Craving, and Anxiety During Buprenorphine Treatment
Zev Schuman-Olivier, Hannah J. Goodman, Joseph Rosansky, A. K. Fredericksen, Javier Barria, Gareth Parry, Randi G. Sokol, Paula Gardiner, Benjamin Le Cook, Roger D Weiss
JAMA Network Open 2025 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.54950 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 196 |
| Population | Adults prescribed buprenorphine for opioid use disorder |
| Interventions | Group-based mindfulness training group recovery support |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training was not superior to an active group recovery support intervention for reducing illicit opioid use. Both arms showed significant reductions in anxiety, and mindfulness produced a greater reduction in opioid craving than recovery support. The authors suggest mindfulness groups may have utility during buprenorphine treatment, especially for patients with residual craving. |
Abstract
Key Points Question During buprenorphine treatment, does group-based mindfulness training reduce opioid use, craving, and anxiety compared with group recovery support? Findings In this randomized clinical trial including 196 adults prescribed buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, mindfulness was not superior at reducing illicit opioid use compared with an active group intervention with an evidence-based curriculum. Both arms experienced significantly reduced anxiety, and the reduction in opioid craving during mindfulness groups was greater than during recovery support groups, a significant difference. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that mindfulness groups may have utility during opioid use disorder treatment, especially for patients with residual opioid craving while prescribed buprenorphine.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Psychological Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry July 30, 2025
- Modulating mechanisms of adverse childhood experiences in a mindfulness-based intervention: preliminary insights from an opioid use disorder study. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Mandela Yoga: a community case study for a post-incarceration reentry service for men of color in recovery. Frontiers in Public Health 2025
- Effects of Remotely Delivered and Web-Based Interventions on Depression Severity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mental Health August 4, 2026
- Mindfulness-based interventions for opioid misuse: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment July 30, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 14
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- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement remediates anhedonia in chronic opioid use by enhancing neurophysiological responses during savoring of natural rewards. Psychological Medicine April 1, 2023
- Telehealth Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement vs Usual Care in Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder and Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry April 1, 2024
- Impact of warm mindfulness on emotion regulation: A randomized controlled effectiveness trial. Health Psychology July 6, 2023
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