Abstract
Adapted from Buddhist spiritual practices that focus on insight and awareness of one’s emotions and behaviors (Bodhi, 2011), the concept of mindfulness is being increasingly adapted by researchers and clinical practitioners. Most commonly, researchers have defined mindfulness as the awareness that arises through paying attention in a purposeful way to an ongoing moment, and doing so non-judgmentally (Kabat-Zinn, 1994). Multiple mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been developed beginning with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR; Kabat-Zinn, 1990) for chronic pain, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT; Segal et al., 2002) for mood disorders, and Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP; Bowen, Chawla, & Marlatt, 2011; Witkiewitz, Marlatt, & Walker, 2005) for substance use disorders (SUDs). Also, at least two additional behavioral therapies incorporate more informal (i.e., non-meditation) aspects of mindfulness: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes et al., 1999; Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT; Linehan et al., 1993). Although each of these MBIs has unique components, they have a shared focus in promoting increased awareness, acceptance, and tolerance of aversive mental states (e.g., negative affect and craving) that may result in substance use.
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© 2015 Matthew R. Pearson, Corey R. Roos, David B. Brown, and Katie Witkiewitz
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Pearson, M.R., Roos, C.R., Brown, D.B., Witkiewitz, K. (2015). Neuroscience and Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Translating Neural Mechanisms to Addiction Treatment. In: Ewing, S.W.F., Witkiewitz, K., Filbey, F.M. (eds) Neuroimaging and Psychosocial Addiction Treatment. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137362650_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137362650_6
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