The restructuring-reward hypothesis postulates that mindfulness decreases the saliency of addictive behavior by encouraging the mind to value things that were rewarding pre-addiction (as opposed to drugs). 

Restructuring Reward Hypothesis

There is a strong association between stress and addiction. Therefore mindfulness-based interventions often focus on targeting stress reactivity in order to improve symptoms related to addictive behaviors. 

Stress Reactivity

There are many different techniques one can use during formal meditation, including:

- Body scan
- Yoga
- Breath awareness
- Open Monitoring

Formal Meditation Skills

A distinct line of inquiry with the goal of understanding which systems of the brain are activated during mindfulness practice to determine the effects that both short and long-term practice has on brain function and structure.

Neurobiology of Mindfulness

Trait mindfulness is centered around the idea of living in the present moment. It emphasizes living a nonjudgemental life, and it can also refer to the level of mindfulness experienced by a person during everyday activities. 

Trait/Dispositional Mindfulness

Mindfulness-based interventions for addiction are  thought to work upon the dysregulation of cognitive processes caused by substance abuse. The usage of mindfulness techniques such as body scan, mindful breathing, and informal mindfulness can work upon certain biological and behavioral mechanisms involved in addiction.  

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Mindfulness-Based Interventions utilized for addiction are similar to general mindfulness-based interventions in that they are multiple weeks long and are usually in a group therapy format. However, they tend to tailor mindfulness practices to behaviors prominent in addiction, such as craving, and foster discussions about how mindfulness can be applied to cope with addiction.  Open monitoring and focused attention are examples of techniques that are employed in such interventions. 

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Addiction

Garland, E.L., Howard, M.O. Mindfulness-based treatment of addiction: current state of the field and envisioning the next wave of research. Addict Sci Clin Pract 13, 14 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-018-0115-3

Mindfulness-based treatment of addiction: current state of the field and envisioning the next wave of research

Open Monitoring is a technique utilized in mindfulness meditation. It involves observing reactionary emotions and thoughts that occur, while maintaining a non- judgmental state. 

Open Monitoring

Focused attention is a type of technique utilized in concentration meditation. This technique involves sustaining focus on a chosen object, which is what the mind is to be brought back to if focus strays. 

Focused Attention

Therapeutic Mechanisms of Mindfulness as a Treatment for Addiction

A combination of relapse prevention which is a cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. It is a mindfulness based aftercare approach to prevent those who have suffered from addiction to relapse.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

Improved self control abilities due to using mindfulness meditation in both smokers and nonsmokers. Increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and adjacent prefrontal cortex (mPFC), showing an improvement in self control and emotion regulation as a result of practicing mindfulness.

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