G. Alan Marlatt, Expert on Addiction, Dies at 69

G. Alan Marlatt was a friend to the world of Buddhism and Recovery, and he attended the first Buddhist Recovery Network Conference as a presenter. He was also scheduled to be a presenter at the second BRN Conference this May.  He had an important new book out entitled Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors (with Sarah Bowen and Neha Chawla). Below are some links and an excerpt of an article that briefly outlines one of his relapse prevention techniques, called SOBER. -walt

http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014528623_marlattobit18m.html

http://depts.washington.edu/abrc/marlatt.htm

Here's a tribute article in Psychology Today:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/addiction-in-society/201103/tribute-alan-marlatt

Here's an excerpt from an article in Time:

Marlatt uses the acronym SOBER to instruct patients on how to deal with a slip or fight off the urge to do so. The S stands for stop: pause for a moment and consider what you are doing. O means observe: think about what you are sensing, feeling and experiencing, and what events led to the situation. B is for breathe: take a few deep breaths. Then, expand your awareness and remind yourself of what will happen if you keep repeating the unwanted behavior and how you will feel afterward. R stands for respond mindfully: remember that you have a choice, that you are not powerless, and that you don't have to continue the undesired behavior.

"Otherwise, you are on autopilot," says Marlatt. "The urge is driving you. So take a breathing space."

Marlatt is currently conducting studies of the latest version of his behavior-modification techniques — which he collectively calls "mindfulness-based relapse prevention" — in comparison with typical addiction treatment. His research, on alcohol and other drug abuse, isn't completed yet, but he says, "We're getting very positive results."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1868965,00.html#ixzz1HFNMKmPu