Expanding Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

Expanding Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) in an Outpatient Setting for Patients with Opioid Use Disorders

Dr. Keith Zullig

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) has been shown to help with physical and psychological well-being, reduce craving, and help with anxiety and depression. The proposed study builds off preliminary research combining these two interventions for the first time, which suggested MBRP + medication assisted treatment (MAT) may improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increase treatment retention and lower relapse rates. The study will employ a quasi-experimental design where participants will self-select into the intervention. The research team will recruit 90 patients who are currently enrolled in treatment for opioid use disorder at the Chestnut Ridge Center in the Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment (COAT) program into intervention. Our working hypothesis is that if participants are able to learn the mindfulness skills and apply them to their daily lives, they will have higher rates of retention in treatment and lower rates of craving, relapse, depression and anxiety. If our hypothesis is supported, a secondary study aim is to assess the future scalability of the intervention to other outpatient settings.