Are mindfulness-based interventions effective for substance use disorders? A systematic review of the evidence.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review current evidence on the therapeutic efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for substance use and misuse (SUM).
Results Summary
MBIs were found to reduce consumption of various substances (alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, cigarettes, opiates) more effectively than waitlist controls and some specific control groups. Preliminary evidence also suggests MBIs may reduce craving and increase mindfulness, though findings are limited by small sample sizes and methodological inconsistencies.
Population
Individuals with substance use and misuse (specific demographics not detailed).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | consumption of several substances including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, cigarettes, and opiates | - | significantly greater extent than waitlist controls, non-specific educational support groups, and some specific control groups | can reduce | #1 |
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | craving | - | - | are associated with a reduction in | #2 |
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | increased mindfulness | - | - | are associated with | #3 |
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly suggested as therapeutic approaches for effecting substance use and misuse (SUM). The aim of this article is to review current evidence on the therapeutic efficacy of MBIs for SUM. A literature search was undertaken using four electronic databases and references of retrieved articles. The search included articles written in English published up to December 2011. Quality of included trials was assessed. In total, 24 studies were included, three of which were based on secondary analyses of previously investigated samples. Current evidence suggests that MBIs can reduce the consumption of several substances including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, cigarettes, and opiates to a significantly greater extent than waitlist controls, non-specific educational support groups, and some specific control groups. Some preliminary evidence also suggests that MBIs are associated with a reduction in craving as well as increased mindfulness. The limited generalizability of the reviewed findings is noted (i.e., small sample size, lack of methodological details, and the lack of consistently replicated findings). More rigorous and larger randomized controlled studies are warranted.