Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Alcoholism Treatment

Connors | Walitzer | Smyth | Colder


The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction were evaluated in patients undergoing treatment for an alcohol use disorder.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to be efficacious in increasing the ability to cope with stress and in enhancing coping and psychological well-being. In this study, MBSR was evaluated in a clinical setting with alcohol dependent patients. In phase one of this study, an eight-session treatment manual for conducting group-based MBSR was adapted for use in the context of a standardized 10-session treatment-as-usual (TAU) for alcohol dependent men and women. In phase two, a pilot clinical trial was conducted to examine the effects of adding MBSR to TAU for alcohol dependent outpatients. The outcomes were compared to the outcomes for patients receiving TAU plus a series of Health and Lifestyle Lectures (TAU + HLL). Co-investigators include Drs. Kimberly S. Walitzer, Nancy J. Smyth, UB School of Social Work, and Craig R. Colder, UB Department of Psychology. Funded by a grant of $1,977,241 from NIAAA, 2007-2012.