Bringing Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorders into Individual Therapy with Spanish Population: a Feasibility and Effectiveness Study

• Published in: Mindfulness Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 766 - 785
• Main Authors: Massaro, Alessandro F., Lecuona, Oscar, García-Rubio, Carlos, Castro-Paredes, Antonieta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abstinence; Addictions; Alcohol; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Cocaine; Cognitive Psychology; Drug use; Effectiveness studies; Impulsivity; Intervention; Meditation; Mindfulness; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Prevention; Psychology; Public Health; Skills; Social Sciences; Substance abuse treatment; Substance use disorder; Spain; Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP); Individual therapy; RCT; Feasibility; Mindfulness; Substance use disorders (SUD)
• ISSN: 1868-8527; 1868-8535
• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01835-5

Objectives High relapse rates following a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment highlight the importance of effective therapies. The mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) program stands as a potentially effective group-based treatment. The present study examines the feasibility and effectiveness of an individualized adaptation of the MBRP (I-MBRP). Methods The feasibility of the I-MBRP was examined according to eight dimensions: demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, adaptation, integration, expansion, and effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was designed to examine the I-MBRP program’s effectiveness compared to individual relaxation training (I-RT). A sample of 108 Spanish detoxified outpatients in treatment as usual (TAU) treatment (i.e., relapse prevention program) for SUDs were randomized to a TAU + I-MBRP group ( n = 54) or TAU + I-RT group ( n = 54). Participants completed self-reports measuring substance use, craving, impulsivity, well-being, and mindfulness at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up at 2 months and 4 months. Results I-MBRP was feasible in all domains. The I-MBRP, compared with the I-RT, significantly reduced the frequency of substance use and craving and improved mindfulness skills at the end of treatment. The benefits were maintained at 4 months. Conclusions I-MBRP is a feasible program for the SUD treatment as a complementary treatment to TAU interventions and shows potential effects on relapse prevention.