BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1
Benchmark Research Proposal
SaQuisha Oliver
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Benchmark Research Proposal
Literature Review
Volkow and Blanco (2021) state how the opioid epidemic is one of the most critical
public health dilemmas in US history. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a mental health illness that
indicates an unstable abuse of narcotics causing hardship and impacts daily responsibilities. The
extremity of OUD can be classified on a scale of mild, moderate or severe. Individuals that suffer
from OUD have a compulsive urge to use opioids regardless of the unfortunate consequences, a
deepened tolerance to opioids, and discontinuation syndrome when opioids are stopped.
Opioid use disorder is a long-term illness that causes devastating outcomes such as disability,
overdose, relapse, and morality.
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 2
There are several factors that play a part in the development of opioid epidemic.
According to Dydyk et al. (2024) some of the factors that give rise to substance dependence and
abuse could be biological, environmental, genetic, and psychological. The source of opiates
derives from poppy plant, including specific analgesic which are pain relievers (Dydyk et al.,
2024). Providers will usually prescribe analgesic to treat pain management, antitussives, and
diarrhea relief. Addiction can have a biological cause. It was said by Dydyk et al (2024) that
individuals with a neurotransmitter insufficiency would be most likely to resort to opioids to
selfcorrect the deficiency. Most environmental influence on opioid use may come from
individuals receiving it from people they know or prescribed by their provider for an injury in
the past. Many individuals that suffer from depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress (PTSD),
or some types of emotional trauma are most likely to engage in substance abuse.
Individuals diagnosed with OUD are confronted with many challenges in their battle to
prevent relapse. As mentioned by Bradley et al. (2021) the possibility of individuals relapse is
greater the period shortly after their therapy. Therefore, it is critical that the individual have a
good supportive system and coping skills to prevent relapsing. Mindfulness-based relapse
prevention (MBRP) was described by Killeen et al. (2023) as a type of alcohol and drug addiction
treatment that gives attention to the time that after treatment when individual is likely to
relapse. MBRP aims to teach individuals how to identify and become aware of their impulsive
behaviors and triggers. When treating OUD, it can be very complicated and certain treatment
methods should be according to the client’s needs.
Problem Statement
The problem in this research proposal is whether mindfulness-based relapse prevention
increases or decreases relapse in individuals diagnosed with OUD. According to Zullig et al.
(2021), “Our results may not be generalizable to more racially diverse populations receiving
MOUD for opioid use disorder in an outpatient setting” (p.3045).
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 3
Purpose Statement
Zullig et al. (2021) stated their purpose for this study was to study the effectiveness of
MBRP with individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder in a naturalistic, openended
outpatient group treatment center. Considering the opioid epidemic’s influence on cultural
diversity, practical interventions like MBRP intervention are important. I believe that MBRP
intervention can be culturally assimilated to focus on the demands and viewpoints in the
various ethnic groups. By incorporating MBRP can improve resilience and emotional balance
improving
OUD in diverse populations.
Research Question(s)
The research question for this study is MBRP increase or decrease relapse in individuals
diagnosed with opioid use disorder? This question is important to answer because we can
receive insight on how to enhance knowledge and resilience, for maintaining recovery.
Research Design
The quantitative research design will be used to conduct this study because it can
provide me with a structured approach that allows me to make a conclusion based off numerical
data. I will also be able to use the data to see if there are any patterns in why individuals relapse
or if MBRP did or did not impact the individuals with OUD. The design method that will be used
is quasi-experimental because this allows me to study the contributive impact opioid use and
how MBRP can be beneficial.
The independent variable for this study would be MBRP and the dependent variable is
the impact of opioid use. The researchers hypothesized that MBRP would positively affect
relapse rates and decrease the motive of individuals opioid usage. In this study a total of 80
participants were selected by a baseline demographic assessment (marital status, gender,
employment, education and insurance) and they had to have at least 90 consecutive day
substance free. Relapse data would be collected each time they came in for treatment and the
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 4
participant reported to the clinical member how many days substance free and if they had
relapses. A linear mixed model would be used to analyze the self-reported relapses and fixed
effects are reported after completing MBRP intervention. Analyses proposed that there was a
lower rate of relapse in the individuals that participate in a course of MBRP.
Implications for the Counseling Field
Rapid changes in OUD treatment for individuals can be very beneficial to the counseling
field whether there is an increase or decrease in relapse. For instance, when OUD cases increase
there would be a need for counseling services. It also gives counselors opportunities to engage
with more clients, change their counseling approaches, and bring awareness to the community.
Now when OUD cases decrease it lessens the stress on counselors and treatment programs.
Counselors can focus more on prevention and education as the goal is for our client to maintain
their progress. Lastly counselors will be able to focus on personal care and acquiring new skills.
Overall counselors play a vital role in advocating for individuals and communities suffering from
OUD.
Integration
Integrating a spiritual approach supports the individual to take part in a therapeutic
process centered on their beliefs and values. I believe as their faith strengthens this can make
rehabilitation acceptable. Grim and Grim (2019) uncovered that clients who completed all
sections of the 12-month substance abuse treatment including faith-based fundamental
reported less substance use at follow-ups. Throughout the Bible there are many verses that
gives us insight on rehabilitation and healing. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) states “Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here”. This verse
acknowledges the developing ability of having faith in Christ. It shows us the insightful message
that by being united in Christ allows us to enter a new existence by leaving our old ways behind
and living a new life in Christ. In relation to treatment for OUD conforms with the idea that
rehabilitation is achievable, and individuals can endure a new life unburdened by addiction. As
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 5
faith results in transformation so does treatment for OUD aiming to help individuals to return to
a healthy and social life.
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 6
References
Brady, K. T., Killeen, T., & Baker, N. L. (2021). Efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse
prevention in veterans with substance use disorders: Design and methodology of a randomized
clinical trial. Contemporary clinical trials, 105, 106393.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2021.106393
Dydyk AM, Jain NK, Gupta M. Opioid Use Disorder. [Updated 2024 Jan 17]. In: StatPearls
[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553166/
Grim, B. J., & Grim, M. E. (2019). Belief, Behavior, and Belonging: How Faith is Indispensable in
Preventing and Recovering from Substance Abuse. Journal of religion and health, 58(5),
1713–1750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00876-w
Keyes, K. M., Rutherford, C., Hamilton, A., Barocas, J. A., Gelberg, K. H., Mueller, P. P., Feaster, D.
J., El-Bassel, N., & Cerdá, M. (2022). What is the prevalence of and trend in opioid use disorder
in the United States from 2010 to 2019? Using multiplier approaches to estimate prevalence for
an unknown population size. Drug and alcohol dependence reports, 3, 100052.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100052
Killeen, T. K., Baker, N. L., Davis, L. L., Bowen, S., & Brady, K. T. (2023). Efficacy of mindfulness-
based relapse prevention in a sample of veterans in a substance use disorder aftercare program:
A randomized controlled trial. Journal of substance use and addiction treatment, 152, 209116.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2023.209116
The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by
Biblica, Inc.®Links to an external site. Links to an external site. Used by permission. All rights
reserved worldwide.
Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2021). The changing opioid crisis: development, challenges and
opportunities. Molecular psychiatry, 26(1), 218–233. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-020-0661-
4
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL 7
Zullig, K. J., Lander, L. R., Tuscano, M., Garland, M., Hobbs, G. R., & Faulkenberry, L. (2021).
Testing Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention with Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Among Adults in Outpatient Therapy: a Quasi-experimental Study. Mindfulness, 12(12), 3036–
3046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01763-w
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
