Self-focused attention has been deﬁned as aware-ness of internally generated information, including bodily sensations, cognitions, and emotional states

Self-focused Attention

Focused attention is a type of technique utilized in concentration meditation. This technique involves sustaining focus on a chosen object, which is what the mind is to be brought back to if focus strays. 

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Concentration meditation is a meditation technique that involves choosing an object or phrase to focus on. When the individual notices their mind is wandering, they bring their attention back to the chosen object of focus.

Concentration Meditation

Mindfulness-Based Interventions utilized for addiction are similar to general mindfulness-based interventions in that they are multiple weeks long and are usually in a group therapy format. However, they tend to tailor mindfulness practices to behaviors prominent in addiction, such as craving, and foster discussions about how mindfulness can be applied to cope with addiction.  Open monitoring and focused attention are examples of techniques that are employed in such interventions. 

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Addiction

Travis, F., & Shear, J. (2010). Focused attention, open monitoring and automatic self-transcending: Categories to organize meditations from Vedic, Buddhist and Chinese traditions. Consciousness and Cognition, 19(4), 1110–1118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2010.01.007

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Focused attention, open monitoring and automatic self-transcending: Categories to organize meditations from Vedic, Buddhist and Chinese traditions

Mindfulness meditation and concentration meditation are closely related, but very different. A person who is using concentration meditation is supposed to focus only on a single object, whereas a person practicing mindfulness meditation is encouraged to notice, rather than resist, the changing nature of their state of mind. Nevertheless, practicing each skill benefits the practice of the other.

- Mindfulness meditation benefits concentration practice
- Concentration meditation benefits mindfulness practice

The Relationship between Mindfulness Meditation and Concentration Meditation

Open Monitoring is a technique utilized in mindfulness meditation. It involves observing reactionary emotions and thoughts that occur, while maintaining a non- judgmental state. 

Open Monitoring

Mindfulness-based interventions for addiction are  thought to work upon the dysregulation of cognitive processes caused by substance abuse. The usage of mindfulness techniques such as body scan, mindful breathing, and informal mindfulness can work upon certain biological and behavioral mechanisms involved in addiction.  

Therapeutic Mechanisms of Mindfulness as a Treatment for Addiction

A combination of relapse prevention which is a cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. It is a mindfulness based aftercare approach to prevent those who have suffered from addiction to relapse.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

Improved self control abilities due to using mindfulness meditation in both smokers and nonsmokers. Increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and adjacent prefrontal cortex (mPFC), showing an improvement in self control and emotion regulation as a result of practicing mindfulness.

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