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A pilot study of Vipassana meditation with female drug users at a rehabilitation centre, Thailand

Nualnong Wongtongkam (School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia)
Phrakhru Bhavanaveeranusith (Wat Phichaiyatikaram, Bangkok, Somdet Chaopraya, Klongsan, Thailand)

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities

ISSN: 0964-1866

Article publication date: 22 October 2019

Issue publication date: 13 November 2019

191

Abstract

Purpose

Substance abuse has become a major health issue in Thailand, contributing to high numbers of premature deaths and requiring considerable expenditure on treatment and rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this paper is to explore use of Vipassana meditation to reduce depression and improve empathy and self-awareness in drug dependent women at a rehabilitation centre.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods were employed. Data were collected in a randomised controlled trial and focus group interviews with 24 intervention subjects and 22 controls.

Findings

Findings showed no significant differences in depression, empathy or mindfulness levels between intervention and control groups, but intervention subjects had a small decline in depression at one-month follow up. The focus group interviews showed that drug users had developed self-awareness, moral values and greater understanding of right and wrong acts.

Originality/value

Findings suggest that Vipassana meditation which is cultural appropriate for Thai culture and religion, should be incorporated into treatments in rehabilitation centres to increase successful outcomes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Citation

Wongtongkam, N. and Bhavanaveeranusith, P. (2019), "A pilot study of Vipassana meditation with female drug users at a rehabilitation centre, Thailand", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 40 No. 3/4, pp. 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-05-2019-0005

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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