Authors:

Anita Beijer

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About Paper:

Individuals in Treatment for Substance Use Disorders Although greater mindfulness is associated with improved substance use disorder (SUD) treatment outcomes (e.g., reduced craving and relapse), the behavioral mechanisms moderating the effectiveness of this relationship remain poorly characterized. Recent evidence suggests that mindfulness may be linked to increased readiness to change. However, no studies have examined this relationship among individuals in SUD treatment, or whether the relationship may change during treatment. To address this gap, we investigated the relationship between mindfulness and two measures indexing readiness to change during SUD treatment using a mixed longitudinal approach. SUD patients (N=1382) at a residential treatment facility completed questionnaires indexing thoughts about changing substance use, acceptance of the need for treatment, and mindfulness. Data were gathered at intake, after ~30 days, and at discharge. Results revealed that across treatment, mindfulness was positively associated with readiness to change (p<.001). Positive associations between mindfulness and treatment acceptance were observed, but only at 30 days (p=.026) and discharge (p=.044). These findings suggest a framework in which mindfulness may exert positive influence on treatment outcomes that is at least partially mediated by readiness to change. Although these results are novel, and contribute to conceptual models of mindfulness in SUD treatment, more nuanced analyses (i.e., mediation models) are required to establish causality. However, these data are consistent with contemporary literature identifying mindfulness as a potential intervention target in SUD treatment. 117

Source:

University of Florida / 2024

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Co-authors:

Anita Beijer