Addiction Treatment Intervention: An Uncontrolled Prospective Pilot Study of Spiritual Self-Schema Therapy with Latina Women

ABSTRACT

Spiritual Self-Schema (3-S) is a weekly 8-session, mindfulness-based, manual-guided, individual intervention targeting addiction and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors that integrates cognitive behavioral strategies with Buddhist principles and clients' religious/spiritual beliefs. 3-S is efficacious for reducing drug use and HIV risk behaviors among mixed-gender, methadone-maintained outpatients. The study goal was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of 3-S therapy among urban, low-income Latinas (n = 13) in residential addiction treatment. Data gathered via in-person interviews (baseline, 8 and 20 weeks postentry) showed high rates of 3-S acceptability and positive changes in a number of outcomes relevant to recovery from addiction and to HIV prevention, including impulsivity, spirituality, motivation for change, and HIV prevention knowledge. The study findings are promising; however, a controlled study with longer follow-up is needed to rigorously assess the efficacy of 3-S therapy with Latinas in substance abuse treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Addiction
• Hispanic
• HIV prevention
• Latino
• mindfulness
• women

The manuscript was prepared with the support from the Bouvé College Research Grants Program, Northeastern University, and the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment grant 1H79TI 14442-0 awarded to Dr. Hortensia Amaro. The authors also thank the program staff who assisted in the study implementation (Bethany Stuart, Brenda Marshall, and Rita Nieves) and the clients who participated in the study.