Despite the availability of various substance abuse treatments, alcohol and drug misuse and related negative consequences remain prevalent. Vipassana meditation (VM), a Buddhist mindfulness-based practice, provides an alternative for individuals who do not wish to attend or have not succeeded with traditional addiction treatments. In this study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of a VM course on substance use and psychosocial outcomes in an incarcerated population. Results indicate that after release from jail, participants in the VM course, as compared with those in a treatment-as-usual control condition, showed significant reductions in alcohol, marijuana, and crack cocaine use. VM participants showed decreases in alcohol-related problems and psychiatric symptoms as well as increases in positive psychosocial outcomes. The utility of mindfulness-based treatments for substance use is discussed.
Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Year:
2006
Pages:
343-347
Sources ID:
21046
Visibility:
Private
Zotero Collections:
Practitioner Context, Environmental Context
Abstract:
(Show)
Zotero Collections
Subjects:
Environmental Context
Practitioner Context