Mindfulness, Cravings and Alcohol Demand

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who are in college are more likely, compared to their non-college peers, to drink to excess. College drinking remains a significant public health concern with consequences including poorer academic results, higher instances of assault, increased risk of experiencing mental health issues and developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Cues, which exist within our environment, act as reminders of previous drinking experiences and are associated with inducing cravings. It is believed, however, that environmental reminders may have less influence over individuals who are better able to control their internal state and impulsivity. This has implications for using mindfulness- present-moment awareness and acceptance of cues as a means of helping young people resist environmental induced cravings.

A recent study, published in the journal of Addictive Behaviours, has analysed drinking patterns, levels of trait mindfulness and cue induced cravings in a group of 69 young college drinkers.

Results of the study show that environmental cue induced cravings were indeed associated with a higher alcohol demand. 

When examining the influence of mindfulness, however, they found that higher levels of trait mindfulness acted to dampen the strength of this relationship between environmental cue induced cravings and alcohol demand.

The findings highlight the potential use of mindfulness to help young people, particularly susceptible to the influence of environmental cues, manage their cravings and harmful drinking behaviour.