Mindfulness-based interventions show unique promise in treating substance use disorders among marginalized populations who face heightened stigma. The Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model is introduced as a novel theoretical framework articulating how mindfulness training can mitigate the adverse effects of stigma, enhance psychological resilience, and facilitate sustained recovery from addiction.
The current manuscript synthesizes various models of mindfulness processes, stigma, and substance use disorder recovery to propose an integrated theoretical framework on the promise of mindfulness-based interventions in supporting recovery. Further, the current manuscript draws upon empirical literature to establish preliminary support for the premises and hypotheses of the Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model concerning the mechanisms influencing the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions among marginalized individuals.
Preliminary evidence supports the premises of the proposed model. There is evidence to suggest that specific processes like increased present-moment awareness, acceptance, decentering, reappraisal, and savoring may be especially salient in mitigating internalized stigma and fostering resiliency in recovery. There is a need for additional research on these processes, and contextual factors that may moderate their efficacy.
The Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model has significant implications for optimizing mindfulness-based interventions to empower marginalized individuals to transcend stigma and actualize their capacity for wellbeing in substance use disorder recovery. It provides a roadmap for future research on the mechanisms and contextual factors affecting the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for marginalized and stigmatized communities. It further offers guidance to clinicians utilizing mindfulness-based interventions to support individuals experiencing stigma.