The Role of Mindfulness in Treating Addictive Disorders and Rehabilitation

Abstract

Mindfulness was originally introduced as a participatory medicine and complementary therapy in hospital settings in the late 1970s. Since then, countless research experiments on mindfulness interventions have shown positive results in the areas of physical and cognitive challenges with a strong impact on the latter. The connection between rehabilitation in the areas of addiction and mindfulness has also become a popular discussion since the advent of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) which are variants of mindfulness practices. Research findings suggest positive effects on relapse prevention for addiction and other associated disorders. While the results from these research findings appear to suggest that mindfulness can be favourable to positive change, it is important to (1) understand the uniqueness of this alternative treatment and relief; and (2) review results from trials and other studies. A review and discussion of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) provided significant insights into the uniqueness of mindfulness interventions in helping people with addiction.