Mindfulness Induction Reduces Cue‐Induced Craving in Female Methamphetamine Users
Xuehui Zhou, Rui Wu, Ziyan Li, Fang LiABSTRACT
Objectives
Inspired by an affective processing model of negative reinforcement, this study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness induction on self‐reported methamphetamine craving and investigate the mechanism underlying this relationship.
Methods
Participants were female methamphetamine users, with 120 in Experiment 1 (intervention: n = 59, control: n = 61) and 107 in Experiment 2 (intervention: n = 54, control: n = 53). Participants in the intervention condition listened to an 18.45‐min mindful audiotape to attain a state of mindfulness. Participants in Experiment 1 listened to the audiotape after viewing images of methamphetamine to induce craving, whereas those in Experiment 2 listened to the mindful audiotape after viewing a film clip to induce craving. Experiment 1 used a rating task to measure craving and negative affect. Experiment 2 adopted a pretest–posttest design in which negative affect and craving were assessed using the PANAS scale and craving scale, respectively. Self‐reported craving was the primary outcome of both experiments. ANOVAs and PROCESS macro Model 6 were used to test the direct and indirect effects of mindfulness induction on craving.
Results
Mindfulness induction had not only a direct effect on self‐reported craving but also an indirect effect by decreasing negative affect and then improving emotion regulation in Experiments 1 and 2.
Conclusion
The findings affirm and enrich theoretical and empirical evidence of the immediate positive effects of mindfulness induction on substance craving, suggesting its promise as a method to decrease substance craving.