Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence: Findings from a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nTo assess the effects of mindfulness-based relapse prevention for alcohol dependence (MBRP-A) intervention on drinking and related consequences.\n\n\nMETHODS\n123 alcohol-dependent adults in early recovery, recruited from outpatient treatment programs, were randomly assigned to MBRP-A (intervention plus usual-care; N\u202f=\u202f64) or Control (usual-care-alone; N\u202f=\u202f59) group. MBRP-A consisted of eight-weekly sessions and home practice. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 8\u202fweeks and 26\u202fweeks (18\u202fweeks post-intervention), and compared between groups using repeated measures analysis.\n\n\nRESULTS\nOutcome analysis included 112 participants (57 MBRP-A; 55 Control) who provided follow-up data. Participants were 41.0\u202f±\u202f12.2\u202fyears old, 56.2% male, and 91% white. Prior to quit date, they reported drinking on 59.4\u202f±\u202f34.8% (averaging 6.1\u202f±\u202f5.0 drinks/day) and heavy drinking (HD) on 50.4\u202f±\u202f35.5% of days. Their drinking reduced after the quit date (before enrollment) to 0.4\u202f±\u202f1.7% (HD: 0.1\u202f±\u202f0.7%) of days. At 26\u202fweeks, the MBRP-A and control groups reported any drinking on 11.5\u202f±\u202f22.5% and 5.9\u202f±\u202f11.6% of days and HD on 4.5\u202f±\u202f9.3% and 3.2\u202f±\u202f8.7% of days, respectively, without between-group differences (ps\u202f≥\u202f0.05) in drinking or related consequences during the follow-up period. Three MBRP-A participants reported relapse, defined as three-consecutive HD days, during the study. Subgroup analysis indicated that greater adherence to session attendance and weekly home practice minutes were associated with improved outcomes.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nMBRP-A as an adjunct to usual-care did not show to improve outcomes in alcohol-dependent adults in early recovery compared to usual-care-alone; a return to drinking and relapse to HD were rare in both groups. However, greater adherence to MBRP-A intervention may improve long-term drinking-related outcomes.