Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for Behavioral Dysregulation: ResultsFrom a Pilot Study Targeting Alcohol Use and Aggression in Women

Objectives: Increasing evidence suggests that deficits in mindfulness (awareness, attentiveness, andacceptance of the present moment) play a role in a range of disorders involving behavioraldysregulation. This paper adds to that literature by describing a transdiagnostic psychotherapy(Mindfulness & Modification Therapy; MMT) developed to target behavioral dysregulation. Design:An open-treatment pilot-trial investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and pre-post effects of MMTtargeting women (N=14) court-referred for alcohol abuse/dependence and aggression. Results: Pre-post comparisons revealed significant decreases in alcohol use, drug use, and aggression. In addition,the retention rate was 93%. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests that MMT is a feasibleand acceptable treatment that decreases dysregulated behaviors such as substance use andaggression, while also potentially increasing retention.