The effects of meditation on state-trait anxiety in individuals who are inpatient in an opiate treatment program

Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant issue all over the world. In a report by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (2018), approximately 275 million people worldwide have used psychoactive substances, such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and non-prescribed psychotropic medication at least once. Researchers suggest that between 26.4 million and 36 million individuals misuse opioids worldwide (Volkow, 2014). Life stressors have been identified as potential triggers that can cause individuals with SUD to relapse; therefore, treatment is unsuccessful, or the recovery experience is more difficult (Brady & Sonne, 1999). The purpose of this exploratory, single-group, pre- and post-intervention design study was to determine if there is a relationship between participation in meditation and the stress levels of individuals who are in recovery for opiate use disorder (OUD). Participants (N = 16) included both adult males and females who were receiving inpatient treatment for OUD. Data were collected utilizing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at four separate times to evaluate immediate and overtime changes for the program. The mobile application, Headspace, was used for the guided meditation sessions. Results indicated statistically significant changes in state anxiety, F₊̧₅ ₊̧₅ (3, 45) = 14.81, p [less than or equal to] .001; however, the findings for trait anxiety changes were not statistically significant.