Which facets of mindfulness predict the presence of substance use disorders in an outpatient psychiatric sample?

Abstract

There have been inconsistent findings regarding the relationship of mindfulness to substance use disorders, which may be attributable in part to measurement issues and the use of nonclinical samples. The current study examined the relationship between specific facets of mindfulness and substance use disorders (SUD) in a clinical sample. The sample consisted of 867 patients seeking outpatient treatment and who completed diagnostic interviews and self-report assessments. Results indicated that deficits in acting with awareness, being nonjudgmental, and nonreactivity were related to the presence of a current SUD relative to those with no history of SUD, although only acting with awareness and being nonjudgmental were related when all of the facets were included in a logistic regression. Patients with a past history of SUD had greater deficits in acting with awareness relative to those with no history of SUD. Results were similar when examining alcohol use and drug use disorders separately. Current nicotine users had greater deficits in being nonjudgmental, but not on other mindfulness facets. The observing facet was not related to current or past history of SUD. The results of the study and future directions are discussed in relation to research on mindfulness-based treatments for addiction.