An American study has found that adding breathing-based integrative meditation and ear acupressure (IMEA) to outpatient treatment of cocaine addiction decreases drug cravings and leads to higher abstinence rates. Fifty-six cocaine-dependent patients were randomised into either an IMEA or a treatment as usual (TAU) group for 12 weeks, with weekly meetings to monitor treatment outcomes and facilitate meditation therapy. With the assistance of simplified breath training and a portable MP4 device, 80% of IMEA participants self-reported practising breathing or meditation for more than five days per week and showed a strong interest in meditative techniques. Compared with TAU, IMEA participants reported significantly higher treatment retention rates by week eight (89% versus 63%) and week 12 (81% versus 58%), higher abstinence rates (66% versus 34%), and significantly greater reduction in craving, anxiety and other addiction-related symptoms. Some participants continued meditation after study completion. (Adding Integrative Meditation with Ear Acupressure to Outpatient Treatment of Cocaine Addiction: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Oct 12. [Epub ahead of print]).
Categories: Substance abuse
