Mindfulness has been practiced to alleviate the psychological suffering of human beings for more than 2,500 years, and although Western psychology is relatively new, there are correlations between them. For instance, both highlight the importance of cultivating concentration, empathy and compassion, therapeutic presence and relationship, openness and acceptance, and self-insight. Although more research on MM is needed in general, recent literature on the subject has been encouraging for patients of SUD’s, and their therapists alike. Currently, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of SUD’s along with an increase in methods becoming available to treat them. This insidious disease is chronic, progressive, and potentially
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67). The results of this analysis encourage further studies and from their perspective, meditation could prove to become an integral component of counseling by providing calmness, more assurance, increased awareness and strength, and enhanced clarity (Pruett et al., 2007, p. 62). A caveat with this article is that addiction requires more than meditation to address the issues associated with addiction (Pruett, et al., 2007, p. …show more content…
discuss the potential benefits of Mindfulness Training (MT) when treating patients with Substance Abuse Disorders (2009). The study consisted of 36 participants who met the criteria for alcohol or cocaine dependence in accordance with the DSM-IV, additionally, there were no significant differences of treatment conditions other than marital status, 6% were married in the MT group compared to 57% in the CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) group (Brewer et al., 2009, p. 310). 15 participants received typical CBT training for 12 weeks while 21 participants were assigned to receive Mindfulness Training based on Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). After receiving treatment, the participants rated their anxiety and drug and or alcohol cravings on a 10-point Likert scale. Overall, the results showed MT participants had lower scores on the anxiety and drug craving during stress provocation, emotional responses during stress provocation measures. Additionally, MT participants showed no increase in maximum heart rate during stress and the MT group showed decreased sympathetic/vagal ratio s compared to the CBT (Brewer et al., 2009 p. 313). In the light of this, even though some of the results may be tenuous, there are
67). The results of this analysis encourage further studies and from their perspective, meditation could prove to become an integral component of counseling by providing calmness, more assurance, increased awareness and strength, and enhanced clarity (Pruett et al., 2007, p. 62). A caveat with this article is that addiction requires more than meditation to address the issues associated with addiction (Pruett, et al., 2007, p. …show more content…
discuss the potential benefits of Mindfulness Training (MT) when treating patients with Substance Abuse Disorders (2009). The study consisted of 36 participants who met the criteria for alcohol or cocaine dependence in accordance with the DSM-IV, additionally, there were no significant differences of treatment conditions other than marital status, 6% were married in the MT group compared to 57% in the CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) group (Brewer et al., 2009, p. 310). 15 participants received typical CBT training for 12 weeks while 21 participants were assigned to receive Mindfulness Training based on Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). After receiving treatment, the participants rated their anxiety and drug and or alcohol cravings on a 10-point Likert scale. Overall, the results showed MT participants had lower scores on the anxiety and drug craving during stress provocation, emotional responses during stress provocation measures. Additionally, MT participants showed no increase in maximum heart rate during stress and the MT group showed decreased sympathetic/vagal ratio s compared to the CBT (Brewer et al., 2009 p. 313). In the light of this, even though some of the results may be tenuous, there are