Effectiveness of mindfulness meditation techniques on stress among the clients with substance abuse in de addiction cum rehabilitation center

Abstract

Introduction:

Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is considered as a major contributor to the initiation and continuation of substance abuse. Substance abuse is a complex problem determined by multiple factors including psychological and physiological components. Stressful events can profoundly influence the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Mindfulness meditation is considered to be very useful for stress reduction.

Materials and Methods:

A Quasi experimental one group pre and post-test research design was adopted for this study. Total of 30 participants who met with inclusion criteria in FfIRE – Jeevodhaya De Addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre, Coimbatore were taken as samples. The sampling technique used for this study was simple random technique, researcher used lottery method to select the samples. Modified stress inventory (DASS) scale was used to elicit the level of stress. Pretest was conducted to assess the level of stress, after that mindfulness meditation technique was administered to the clients, then post test was conducted. Informed consent was obtained from all the study participants.

Result

The mean pre- test score of stress was 76 and after the intervention the stress level was reduced to mean post test score of 51. The study also revealed that demographic variables like age, education, duration of substance abuse had significant association with posttest level of stress.

Conclusion

The present study unveiled that the mindfulness meditation technique was effective to reduce stress among client with substance abuse.