Dr. G. Alan Marlatt is the founder and director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington, where he developed the
03 Sep 2015 Dr. G. Alan Ma r latt is the founder and direc t or of the Addicti v e Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washin gt on , wh e re he d e velo pe d the Mindf u lness-Ba s ed Relapse Pre v ention (MBRP) outpatient treatment program . He is also the author of Relapse Prevention: Maintenance Strategies in the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors. Following ar e . e xcerpts adapted from our interview with Dr. Marlatt, in which he describes of some of the practices taught in the MBRP prog r am to those recoveringfrom addiction . To read the complete intervie w , v isit the “Current” page at www.inquiringmind.com. S.O.B.E.R. By G. Alan Marlatt RELAPSE PREVENTION is a cognitive behavioral approach that mainly teaches people skills: how to cope with triggers and high-risk situations, how to manage urges and cravings. It also helps people get a better sense of their own personal journeys and the forks in the road that lead either to recovery or to falling off the wagon. In getting this bigger picture, mindfulness meditation enhances what many people call “meta-cognition”-the ability to stand back, observe what is happening andthink about what you are doing rather than being on automatic pilot. We’re trying to promote approaches that will help people see their feelings and then develop more of a sense of choice. It’s when they’re in the habit-stimulus response that most people get into drug use and its consequences. S.O.B.E.R. is one of the meditation breathing spaces we’ve developed. You can use it when you’re right on the verge of taking a drink. It enhances meta-cognition, giving you a chance to stand back and look at what’s going on. Say you’re walking by a bar you used to visit and the thought arises: “Maybe I’ll just pop in and see if anybody I know is inside:’ 5 is for “stop” where you are. Stop walking. Then 0, “observe” how you’re feeling-what are the physical sensations and cravings? 8, focus on your=breath.Take a deep breath, then another breath, and center your attention there. And E, “expand” your aware- ness so that you’ll have a larger sense of what would happen if you did go in the bar. How would you feel? In AA they call this “thlnklnq through the drink:’ Finally, R, “respond” mindfully. When you’re on the verge of actin.g, you have a choice, but you need a little space. Otherwise, the habit will drive you to drink. Recent SMART News , News