Serfaty, S;
(2016)
The Effects of Brief Mindfulness Strategy on Craving, Affect and Alcohol Consumption.
Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Background: Recent theories of addiction emphasise craving and negative affect as the central mechanisms that underpin alcohol abuse. Mindfulness-based interventions have been suggested to increase people’s ability to manage craving and negative affect, and thereby reduce the habitual reaction of drinking as a result of the unpleasant feelings. Aim: To examine the effect of brief mindfulness training on craving, affect and alcohol consumption, in comparison to brief relaxation training. Method: Sixty-eight participants were randomly allocated to brief mindfulness or relaxation training. Participants underwent cue-reactivity procedures before and after the training. Dependent variables included subjective and physiological measures of craving and affect, and alcohol consumption at 7-day follow-up. Results: Both mindfulness and relaxation reduced subjective cue-induced craving and arousal levels, as well as craving at follow-up. No effects were seen on pleasure during the cue-reactivity procedure. Mindfulness was also associated with a significant reduction in alcohol consumption at follow-up. The reduction in drinking in the mindfulness group was associated with acutely increased cue-induced physiological arousal. Conclusions: The results support the notion that both mindfulness and relaxation can reduce craving and arousal during cue-reactivity, but only mindfulness can reduce alcohol consumption at follow-up. This study also offers insights regarding physiological arousal, being a potential mechanism involved in the reduction in drinking.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Effects of Brief Mindfulness Strategy on Craving, Affect and Alcohol Consumption |
| Event: | UCL (University College London) |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1526539 |
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