Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention: One-Year Outcomes following a Randomized Trial
Speaker: Sarah Bowen, PhD; Katie Witkiewitz, PhD
Format: Audio & Slides

Objective: Relapse is highly prevalent following substance abuse treatments, highlighting the need for improved aftercare interventions. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) integrates evidence-based approaches from mindfulness-based interventions (MBSR and MBCT) with best practices from cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention (RP). This recent randomized trial evaluated long-term efficacy of MBRP in reducing relapse as compared to standard RP and treatment as usual (TAU) over a 12-month follow-up period. Methods: Participants (N= 286) who completed initial community-based treatment for substance-use disorders were randomly assigned to 8 weekly group sessions of MBRP, RP, or TAU (i.e., 12-step programming and psychoeducation) and followed for 12 months. Primary outcomes included relapse to drug use and heavy drinking, and frequency of substance use over the past 90 days. Results: Compared to TAU, MBRP and RP participants reported significantly lower risk of relapse, and among those who did use substances, significantly fewer days of use and heavy drinking at the 6-month follow-up. RP showed advantage over MBRP in time to first drug use. At the 12-month follow-up, MBRP participants reported significantly fewer days of substance use and significantly decreased heavy drinking compared to both RP and TAU. Moderators and mediators of treatment are currently being assessed. Conclusions: For individuals in aftercare, RP and MBRP, compared to TAU, produced significantly reduced relapse risk to drug use and heavy drinking. At 12-month follow-up, MBRP offered significant added benefit over both RP and TAU in reducing drug use and heavy drinking.