NIDA grant to explore mindfulness therapy for prevention of drug abuse relapse

The National Institute on Drug Abuse recently granted $100,000 to Jordan Davis, MSW, a doctoral student in social work at the University of Illinois, to study efficacy of mindfulness therapy for substance abuse relapse among marginalized young adults.

“This is a population of individuals who face extraordinary challenges throughout their lives and in their efforts to stay sober after treatment ends. Many have experienced severe trauma such as neglect, abuse and sexual trauma as children. These experiences, coupled with a substance use disorder, make it very difficult to remain abstinent,” Davis said in a press release. “We are investigating whether [mindfulness-based relapse prevention] impacts both physiological and behavioral measures of chronic stress, and if it works equally well for individuals who have experienced significant early childhood trauma.”

Jordan Davis

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention is a group-based treatment targeting negative emotions and cravings associated with relapse, such as physiologic and behavioral symptoms of chronic stress. Participants are taught to identify thought patterns and physical symptoms known to lead to relapse.

Davis and colleagues will focus on marginalized populations, particularly individuals who experienced childhood trauma and have dual diagnoses of mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Brent Roberts

Approximately 80% of the study cohort is involved with the criminal justice system and 90% live below the federal poverty line, according to Davis.

“Mr. Davis’ project brings to bear cutting-edge science to help an underserved population and address one of the most intractable problems in treatment — how to keep people well once they have started the path to recovery,” study researcher Brent Roberts, PhD, of the University of Illinois, said in the release.