Title : WPSU wellness programme for substance user for alcohol relapse prevention A Ray of Hope in dark
Abstract:
Objectives: A large unmet need for a robust system for relapse prevention in alcohol dependent. Meditation is an emerging non pharmacologic treatment for alcohol relapse prevention. This 16-week prospective study was done to evaluate efficacy of WPSU (a combination of meditation ,motivation, coping strategies and group support) for relapse prevention .
Materials and Methods: 72 adult alcohol-dependent patient were enrolled for online WPSU . 68 patients completed the 7 day online WPSU meditation course supplemented by at-home meditation and "standard of care" therapy. Outcome measures included relevant surveys.
Results: : 59 patients (86.76 %) were abstinent for 30.9 (SD = 22.2) days at enrollment. Completers (N = 59) attended 85% of meditation course sessions and meditated on average 4.6 (SD = 1.1) days per week; they were abstinent on 94.5% (SD = 7.4) of study days, with 49% reporting complete abstinence and 51% reporting 1 or more heavy drinking days. Their severity of depression, anxiety, stress (P < 0.05), and craving (P < 0.08), documented relapse triggers, decreased, and the degree of mindfulness increased (P < 0.05). The WPSU course was rated as a "very important" (8.7/10, SD = 1.8) and "useful relapse prevention tool" (8.5/10, SD = 2.1); participants reported being "very likely" to continue meditating (9.0/10, SD = 1.5). "Gaining skills to reduce stress," "coping with craving," and "good group support" were the most common qualitative comments about the course value. There were no adverse events or side effects.
Conclusions: : Meditation may be an effective adjunctive therapy for relapse prevention in alcohol dependence. Needs revalidation in larger RCT.
Keywords WPSU (wellness programme for substance user) alcohol dependence ,meditation; relapse prevention addiction;; substance use disorders.
