Mindfulness for the treatment of substance use disorders

Abstract

The interest in mindfulness has grown since its creation in a secular format for health contexts. The mindfulness-based relapse prevention-(MBRP) program was the first mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) developed for addictive behaviors. In addition to mindfulness, the MBRP includes elements of cognitive psychology and relapse prevention and encourages an attitude of approaching rather than judging symptoms, triggers, and cravings, favoring the development of more behavior-conscious choices. The attitude of approach is at the base of the mechanisms that support behavior changes. Among them is the recognition of conditioned patterns of behavior, cognitive defusion, the identification of the needs underlying the cravings, and the acceptance of the transience of internal phenomena. The existing evidence indicates beneficial effects for the reduction of frequency and severity of problematic substance use, craving intensity, and stress severity when compared to usual treatment.