Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Opioid Use

Mindfulness-based interventions for substance use have shown benefit as a standalone treatment among persons who use alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine. For patients with opioid use disorder, mindfulness-based interventions appear to have benefits when combined with medication for opioid use disorder.

Evidence for the intervention

Evidence for mindfulness-based interventions for persons with substance use disorders comes from multiple randomized control trials, which have been summarized in systematic reviews and meta-analyses; in these trials, the interventions are typically delivered by highly trained research staff. The evidence for mindfulness-based interventions for persons with opioid use disorder primarily comes from studies testing it as an adjunctive intervention, as delivered by highly trained clinicians. Studies consistently find that mindfulness-based interventions help reduce alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioid use when delivered by highly trained clinicians and when delivered in combination with medication for opioid use disorder. There is limited evidence for its use when delivered by front-line clinicians in busy clinical settings, and no data supporting its use as a stand-alone treatment for opioid use disorder.

Evidence-based Scale

Mindfulness-based interventions for substance use have demonstrated benefits among adult patients taking methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. They have also been shown to reduce opioid dosing among patients with chronic pain and have been shown to reduce symptoms of co-occurring mental health disorders and reduce cravings among adults who have a range of substance use disorders. Studies also suggest that mindfulness-based interventions work to reduce consumption of a range of substances, including alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, and stimulants. Mindfulness-based interventions may not be suitable for people with serious mental health issues, high suicide risk, or severe cognitive problems, as these groups are often left out of research studies of mindfulness-based interventions.