ABSTRACT
The program combines mindfulness practices with techniques used in cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention approaches to enhance awareness of internal processes that can increase relapse risk, and to develop skillful responses to internal experiences. One program that has undergone rigorous clinical trial research is Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). Practices in the final MBRP sessions encourage clients to not only respond skillfully in challenging situations, but to also take time to engage in nourishing and wholesome self-care activities. Research has demonstrated Mindfulness-Based Interventions are an effective method for reducing cravings and misuse of various substances. Driving many advances in substance use disorder treatment is an understanding of the basic patterns of operant and classical conditioning that underlie addictive behaviors. Methods to extinguish conditioned associations and behaviors are well established in behavioral science. Less perceived distress by resisting negative affective states and greater equanimity toward difficult experiences can become positively reinforcing, and may strengthen the behavior of mindfully and carefully attending to one’s suffering.
