Mindfulness-based therapy for opioid misuse can offer massive return on investment
A new economic evaluation from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has revealed that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE)—an innovative, evidence-based, neuroscience-informed therapy for opioid misuse and chronic pain—provides $12 in cost savings for every dollar spent, between two and six times as cost-effective as other addiction treatments such as residential…
A new study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine finds that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) therapy for opioid misuse is highly cost-effective. In fact, the therapy provides $12 in cost savings for every dollar spent, making it more cost-effective than other addiction treatments like residential or intensive outpatient care.
Over a patient's lifetime, these savings can total over $324,000 per individual. Overall, MORE could significantly reduce opioid misuse and its associated costs, estimated at up to $4 trillion annually in the U.S. for health care, criminal justice, and lost productivity. Developed by Dr. Eric Garland, MORE integrates mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, and savoring techniques to address addiction, emotional distress, and chronic pain simultaneously.
Previous research shows MORE reduces opioid misuse by 45% compared to standard therapy, improves pain symptoms, and enhances positive experiences. With a relatively low implementation cost, MORE has the potential to generate substantial economic benefits by averting opioid misuse and associated harms.
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