Mindfulness for Alcoholism
(MIT Trial)
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18+
Sex: Female
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: The Mind Research Network
Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorder, Dementia, CNS disease, others
No Placebo Group
Approved in 3 Jurisdictions
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?Over half of state and federal prisoners meet clinical criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, and after release from prison, over three-quarters of offenders are re-arrested within five years. Thus, there is a critical need for more effective interventions that could help disrupt this insidious cycle of alcohol abuse, criminal behavior, and incarceration. This project will support the development and evaluation of a mindfulness intervention for female prison inmates that will target key neuropsychological vulnerabilities that are associated with relapse and recidivism.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mindfulness-Based Interventions for alcoholism?
Research shows that mindfulness-based treatments can help people with alcohol use disorder by reducing drinking and preventing relapse. These therapies focus on being aware of the present moment without judgment, which can help manage cravings and stress.
12345Is mindfulness safe for humans?
Mindfulness-based interventions are generally considered safe for humans and have been used effectively for mental health conditions like depression and PTSD. They are also seen as safe and supportive in recovery from alcohol and opioid use disorders.
12367How is mindfulness treatment different from other treatments for alcoholism?
Mindfulness treatment for alcoholism is unique because it focuses on helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way, which can reduce stress and prevent relapse. Unlike traditional treatments, it targets the mental and emotional triggers of alcohol use, helping people manage cravings and stress without relying on medication.
13489Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking female inmates aged 18-65 with alcohol use disorder, who are not due to be released within the next three months. They must have at least a 5th-grade reading level. Those with metal in their body, low IQ scores, psychotic disorders, dementia or cognitive disabilities, major illnesses or CNS diseases, and severe hearing or vision problems cannot join.Inclusion Criteria
I am between 18 and 65 years old.
I am biologically female.
Time to release from incarceration > 3 months
+3 more
Exclusion Criteria
You have a history of dementia or other conditions that affect your ability to think and remember.
Your IQ score is below 70.
You cannot have an MRI scan because you have metal in your body.
+3 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2-4 weeks
Treatment
Participants are randomly assigned to a mindfulness or relapse prevention training course, compared against a no treatment control
8 weeks
In-person sessions during incarceration
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol consumption, craving, and criminal behavior after release
6 months
Every 3 months after release
Post-release Monitoring
Collection of outcome measures including alcohol use relapse and antisocial behavior
6 months
Participant Groups
The study is evaluating a mindfulness program designed to address neuropsychological factors linked to relapse and criminal behavior in women prisoners with alcohol abuse issues. The goal is to reduce the cycle of drinking and re-offending.
4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Relapse PreventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: MindfulnessExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Mindfulness
Group III: Treatment as UsualActive Control1 Intervention
Group IV: Waitlist ControlActive Control1 Intervention
Mindfulness is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Mindfulness-Based Interventions for:
- Substance Abuse Treatment
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
🇪🇺 Approved in European Union as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for:
- Stress Management
- Anxiety Disorders
- Chronic Pain
🇨🇦 Approved in Canada as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for:
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Substance Abuse Treatment
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
The Mind Research NetworkAlbuquerque, NM
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The Mind Research NetworkLead Sponsor
University of Wisconsin, MadisonCollaborator
References
[Mindfulness based interventions for addictive disorders: a review]. [2018]In substance use disorders, the lack of empirically supported treatments and the minimal utilization of available programs indicate that innovative approaches are needed. Mindfulness based therapies have been used in addictive disorders for the last 10years. Mindfulness can be defined as the ability to focus open, non-judgmental attention to the full experience of internal and external phenomena, moment by moment. Several therapies based on mindfulness have been developed. The aim of this study is to review the existing data on the use of these programs in addictive disorders.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. [2022]Fjorback LO, Arendt M, Ørnbøl E, Fink P, Walach H. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Perceptions about mindfulness-based interventions among individuals recovering from opioid and alcohol use disorders: Findings from focus groups. [2020]Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been used as an intervention to support recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to identify attitudes and experiences toward standardized MBIs among individuals recovering from these substance abuse disorders (SUD) through a qualitative approach.
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. [2020]To assess the effects of mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence (MBRP-A) intervention on drinking and related consequences.
Mindfulness-based programs for substance use disorders: a systematic review of manualized treatments. [2021]Substance use disorders are prevalent and returning to substance use (i.e., relapse) following treatment is common, underscoring the need for effective treatments that will help individuals maintain long-term reductions in substance use. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly developed and evaluated for the treatment of substance use disorders. The aim of this article was to update a systematic review conducted by Li et al. in 2017 on the outcomes of randomized control trials of MBIs for substance use disorders. In addition, we provided a session-by-session examination of the most widely used MBI protocols.
Adverse or therapeutic? A mixed-methods study investigating adverse effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in bipolar disorder. [2021]Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) are widely used in clinical and non-clinical populations, but little attention has been given to potential adverse effects (AEs).
The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety. [2018]Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly utilized in the management of mental health conditions. This first review of a two-part series evaluates the efficacy, mechanism, and safety of mindfulness meditation for mental health conditions frequently seen after return from deployment. Standard databases were searched until August 4, 2015. 52 systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials were included. The Strength of Recommendation (SOR) Taxonomy was used to assess the quality of individual studies and to rate the strength of evidence for each clinical condition. Adjunctive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective for decreasing symptom severity during current depressive episode, and for reducing relapse rate in recovered patients during maintenance phase of depression management (SOR moderate [SOR B]). Adjunctive mindfulness-based stress reduction is effective for improving symptoms, mental health-related quality of life, and mindfulness in veterans with combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (SOR B). Currently, there is no sufficient data to recommend MBIs for generalized anxiety disorder (SOR B). MBIs are safe, portable, cost-effective, and can be recommended as an adjunct to standard care or self-management strategy for major depressive disorder and PTSD. Future large, well-designed randomized clinical trials in service members and veterans can help plan for the anticipated increase in demand for behavioral health services.
Mindfulness training modifies cognitive, affective, and physiological mechanisms implicated in alcohol dependence: results of a randomized controlled pilot trial. [2022]Mindfulness training may disrupt the risk chain of stress-precipitated alcohol relapse. In 2008, 53 alcohol-dependent adults (mean age = 40.3) recruited from a therapeutic community located in the urban southeastern U.S. were randomized to mindfulness training or a support group. Most participants were male (79.2%), African American (60.4%), and earned less than $20,000 annually (52.8%). Self-report measures, psychophysiological cue-reactivity, and alcohol attentional bias were analyzed via repeated measures ANOVA. Thirty-seven participants completed the interventions. Mindfulness training significantly reduced stress and thought suppression, increased physiological recovery from alcohol cues, and modulated alcohol attentional bias. Hence, mindfulness training appears to target key mechanisms implicated in alcohol dependence, and therefore may hold promise as an alternative treatment for stress-precipitated relapse among vulnerable members of society.
Mindfulness-based treatment to prevent addictive behavior relapse: theoretical models and hypothesized mechanisms of change. [2023]Mindfulness-based treatments are growing in popularity among addiction treatment providers, and several studies suggest the efficacy of incorporating mindfulness practices into the treatment of addiction, including the treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions (i.e., gambling). The current paper provides a review of theoretical models of mindfulness in the treatment of addiction and several hypothesized mechanisms of change. We provide an overview of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), including session content, treatment targets, and client feedback from participants who have received MBRP in the context of empirical studies. Future research directions regarding operationalization and measurement, identifying factors that moderate treatment effects, and protocol adaptations for specific populations are discussed.