Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Opioid Use

The primary cost associated with mindfulness-based interventions for substance use is that of clinician training, which requires a substantial time investment.

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

Once clinicians are trained, the primary costs of implementing mindfulness-based interventions for substance use are associated with supervision and fidelity monitoring. Fidelity to mindfulness-based intervention delivery has a strong impact on the effectiveness of the treatment, and providers are likely to require ongoing supervision and support to implement it successfully.