Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Co-occurring Substance Use and Depression Disorders

Depression and substance use disorders are highly comorbid and have significant clinical and public health implications. The current study was conducted in Iran with the aim to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week outpatient mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) program compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for substance use disorders with comorbid depression. Participants were 74 adults with substance use disorders randomly assigned to either MBRP (n = 37) or TAU (n = 37). Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) were used as outcome measures. Assessments were administered pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up. Effectiveness of MBRP was supported by significantly lower post-intervention rates of depression, anxiety, and craving in those who received MBRP as compared to those in TAU. In the MBRP group, these beneficial effects were stable at follow-up. Results suggest that MBRP could be implemented as an effective intervention for patients with comorbid depression and substance use disorders.