The Practice of Mindfulness in Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you do an online search for the term ‘mindfulness’, you will find more than 5 million articles and web pages discussing this topic, with their focus ranging from mindfulness in the workplace, to mindfulness over one’s body for weight control, to mindfulness in parenting styles, and thousands of other related topics. The concept is not a new one, as the term ‘mindfulness’ boils down to the practice of living in the moment, focusing one’s attention completely on the thoughts, feelings, and environment in which they exist, and its practice and study dates all the way back to early Buddhism. What is new, however, is the discussion of how this practice of meditation and focused thinking may influence the outcomes of treatment for the dual disorders of mental illness and addiction.

Dr. Zev Schuman-Olivier, WestBridge’s medical director and psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School and the Cambridge Health Alliance, stressed the importance of balancing wellness skills, such as mindfulness, with medication during recovery from dual disorders. He stated in a recent interview with WBUR Radio: “We’re witnessing a culture that is focused and organized in some ways around medication as a primary form of treatment,” He went on to explain: “On the other hand, people can overstate the power of mindfulness intervention.”

Dr. Schuman-Olivier’s message is that while mindfulness and the act of focusing purposefully on one’s thoughts can play an important role for some individuals treating dual disorders, the outcomes may vary widely from one individual to the next. There have also been concerns voiced by psychiatrists that the actual act of mindful thinking may bring up traumatic thoughts and memories for some individuals which they may not be prepared to handle on their own; and a professional should be consulted before engaging in this practice.

While treatment for dual disorders may vary widely from one individual to the next, the role of factors such as nutrition, relationships, overall wellness, and mindfulness, among others, can work together to help individuals in their recovery and give them the tools they need to reduce the risk of relapse in the future.