The Effect of Self-Compassion-Focused Interventions for People with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Yajing Ma, Wen Zhang, Yanping Wang, Bronya Hi Kwan Luk, Song Ge, Haixia Ma
Substance Use & Misuse May 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2025.2509268 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with substance use disorders |
| Intervention | self-compassion-focused interventions |
| Topics | Depression Meditation Addiction |
| Keywords | Humans Substance-related disorders Empathy Self concept Mental health Substance use disorders Self-compassion |
| Key findings | Self-compassion-focused interventions showed medium pooled effects on self-compassion (Hedge's g = 0.738), mindfulness (Hedge's g = 0.568), and depression (Hedge's g = 0.614) in people with substance use disorders, but no significant improvement in psychological flexibility, stress, PTSD, or drug craving. The authors note the included studies were of overall poor quality and call for larger randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up. |
Abstract
Background: Comorbidity between substance use disorders (SUD) and mental disorders is highly prevalent. Self-compassion has been identified as a protective factor against negative emotions and shows potential in enhancing mental health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion-focused interventions in improving mental health outcomes in this population.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using eight electronic databases. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Data on study characteristics, baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up outcomes were extracted. The study quality was assessed using the Downs and Black Quality Index Score.
Results: The included studies exhibited overall poor quality. Meta-analyses suggested medium treatment effects of self-compassion-focused interventions on self-compassion (Hedge's g = 0.738), mindfulness (Hedge's g = 0.568), and depression (Hedge's g = 0.614) following the intervention. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences based on participants' gender, intervention types, sessions, and treatment length. However, self-compassion-focused interventions did not lead to significant improvement in psychological flexibility, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and craving for drugs.
Conclusion: This review underscored the effectiveness of self-compassion-focused interventions in improving self-compassion, mindfulness, and depression among people with SUD. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up periods are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
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 |