Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Oct-Dec;30(4):295-305.
doi: 10.1080/08897070903250084.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for substance use disorders: a pilot efficacy trial

Sarah Bowen  1 , Neharika Chawla, Susan E Collins, Katie Witkiewitz, Sharon Hsu, Joel Grow, Seema Clifasefi, Michelle Garner, Anne Douglass, Mary E Larimer, Alan Marlatt
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for substance use disorders: a pilot efficacy trial

Sarah Bowen et al. Subst Abus. 2009 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

The current study is the first randomized-controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and initial efficacy of an 8-week outpatient Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) program as compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Participants were 168 adults with substance use disorders who had recently completed intensive inpatient or outpatient treatment. Assessments were administered pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 2 and 4 months post-intervention. Feasibility of MBRP was demonstrated by consistent homework compliance, attendance, and participant satisfaction. Initial efficacy was supported by significantly lower rates of substance use in those who received MBRP as compared to those in TAU over the 4-month post-intervention period. Additionally, MBRP participants demonstrated greater decreases in craving, and increases in acceptance and acting with awareness as compared to TAU. Results from this initial trial support the feasibility and initial efficacy of MBRP as an aftercare approach for individuals who have recently completed an intensive treatment for substance use disorders.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. McLellan AT, Lewis DC, O’Brien CP, Kleber HD. Drug dependence, a chronic mental illness: implications for treatment, insurance, and outcomes evaluation. JAMA. 2000;284:1689–1695. - PubMed
    1. Connors GJ, Maisto SA, Donovan DM. Conceptualizations of relapse: a summary of psychological and psychobiological models. Addiction. 1996;91:5–13. - PubMed
    1. Dixon L, McNary S, Lehman AF. Remission of substance use disorder among psychiatric inpatients with mental illness. Am J Psychiatry. 1998;155:239–243. - PubMed
    1. Room R. Mutual help movements for alcohol problems: an international perspective. Addict Res. 1998;6:131–145.
    1. Tonigan JS, Toscova R, Miller WR. Meta-analysis of the literature on Alcoholics Anonymous: sample and study characteristics moderate findings. J Stud Alcohol. 1996;57:65–72. - PubMed

Publication types