Cited by 45Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesDecision-Making and Behavioral EconomicsOpioid Use Disorder Treatment

Delay discounting and the use of mindful attention versus distraction in the treatment of drug addiction: A conceptual review

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Ashe, Melinda L., Newman, Michelle G., Wilson, Stephen J.·2015·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Abstract

In recent decades, researchers have integrated measurements of delay discounting, how the subjective valuation of a reward changes as a function of time, into their study of addiction. Research has begun to explore the idea that delay discounting may serve as both a marker for the effectiveness of existing treatments for addiction and a potential target for novel intervention strategies. As this work is in its infancy, many potentially significant connections between the construct of delay discounting and the treatment of addiction have yet to be explored. Here, we present a conceptual review highlighting novel points of intersection between delay discounting and two approaches to treating addiction that have become increasingly popular in recent years: those that focus on the development of mindfulness skills and those that emphasize the use of distraction techniques. Viewing these two techniques through the lens of delay discounting is particularly intriguing because of the very different way that they address the experience of drug cravings in the present moment (nonjudgmentally attending to vs. shifting attention away from subjective cravings, respectively). We propose that these opposing strategies for dealing with cravings may interact with delay discounting in ways that have important implications for treatment effectiveness.

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  • Through acceptance-based/mindfulness-based trainings, individuals with addictive problems learn to accept negative feelings associated with moments of cravings and therefore get through these moments and stay abstinent.

    “through acceptance-based/mindfulness-based trainings, individuals with addictive problems learn to accept negative feelings associated with moments of cravings and therefore get through these moments and stay abstinent”
  • Most intervention theories related to elevated DD rates attempt to change individuals' heightened emphasis on immediate rewards toward a more future-oriented focus, whereas acceptance-based/mindfulness-based trainings concentrate on experiencing and accepting the aversiveness of the present moment.

    “Most intervention theories related to elevated DD rates attempt to change individuals’ heightened emphasis on immediate rewards toward a more future-oriented focus, whereas acceptance-based/mindfulness-based trainings concentrate on experiencing and accepting the aversiveness of the present moment”

    From Behavioral trainings and manipulations to reduce delay discounting: A systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as Ashe, Newman, & Wilson, 2015

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  1. Curry S Marlatt GA Shiffman S Wills TA 1985 Strategies for coping with temptations to smoke Coping and substance abuse 243 265 New York Academic Press

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Authors
Ashe, M. L., Newman, M. G., & Wilson, S. J.
Affiliations
Pennsylvania State University (US)
Corresponding author
Wilson, Stephen J.
Venue
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014-12-25
Volume
103
Issue
1
Pages
234-248
ISSN
  • 0022-5002 (ISSN-L)
  • 1938-3711
OpenAlex
W2102133455
Cited by
45
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3
FWCI
0.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • ScholarSphere (Penn State Libraries) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (K12HD055882)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Keywords
delay discounting, drug addiction treatment, mindfulness, distraction techniques, drug craving, treatment effectiveness
MeSH terms
Attention, Humans, Substance-Related Disorders, Mindfulness, Delay Discounting, Craving

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