Effects of Mindfulness on Temptation and Emotional Schema with Mediator Role of Substance Craving in Drug Addicts

Background & Aims: Substance abuse is a social disorder that affects the physical, mental, and social health of the victims. It is recognized as a disease whereby the patient loses his control over the behavior-reward system and compulsively insists on repeating an action with adverse effects. In this correlative descriptive study, we have investigated the effect of mindfulness on temptation and emotional schema with a mediator role of substance craving in drug addicts. Materials & Methods: We have studied 253 drug addicts referred to Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center in Urmia, Iran in 2018, among which 150 samples were selected based on Krejcie & Morgan Table and using randomized multistage cluster method. Data collection was performed using Beck’s Craving Belief Questionnaire (CBQ), Leahy Emotional Schemas Scale (LESS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and Brief Substance Craving Scale (BSCS) with respective reliabilities of 0.80, 0.82, 0.83, and 0.81, respectively. Results: A sample of 70 subjects (51 men and 19 women) aged 31-45 years participated in the study. Results of the correlation matrix showed a positive and significant relationship between variables at 1% and a confidence level of 99%. The model of temptation and emotional schema with a direct impact of mindfulness and substance craving, and direct effects of the synthetic model of mindfulness and substance craving were fit and significant at 1% and confidence level of 99%. Indirect effects of the synthetic model were acceptable at 1%, implying that mediator role of substance craving in the relationship between mindfulness with temptation and emotional schema in subjects who suffered from substance abuse is effective. Conclusion: We concluded that addiction treatment centers employ friendly staff and provide patients with training services to stimulate their lost sense of masculinity and help ease their return to normal life.