EFFECT OF A 4-WEEK MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION ON SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AMONG HUNGARIAN ADULTS

Abstract

Most empirical studies on mindfulness-based interventions� effects on alcohol use problems are carried out in the Western, and very few in the Hungarian population. In this randomized-controlled pilot study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training�s mindfulness exercises on Alcohol Use Disorder symptoms. We hypothesized that the mindfulness intervention would significantly reduce the AUD symptoms. Our sample consists of Hungarian adults at risk for alcohol use disorder. We screened 93 individuals, out of which we randomized 36 into the intervention or passive control groups. We measured the alcohol use, craving, positive, negative affectivity, and mindfulness level. We collected the outcome data at the end of the one-month mindfulness intervention and follow-up data one month later. To test our hypotheses, we use mixed design ANOVA. We expect that the mindfulness intervention will significantly decrease alcohol consumption, craving, and negative emotions while increasing positive emotions in the intervention group compared to the control group. If our expectations are met, we can conclude that the DBT-ST mindfulness exercises are efficient in decreasing alcohol problems and negative emotions in the Hungarian at-risk sample. So far, we have not received valid results due to the large dropout of participants.