Nine adults in treatment for behavioral addictions (mostly gambling disorder) completed an 8-week mindfulness program across five phases—two 4-week training blocks separated by return-to-baseline periods—with daily online self-assessments of craving, perceived gambling control, and relapse risk tracked throughout.
Sustained reductions in craving, gambling control deficits, and relapse risk were primarily linked to cumulative mindfulness practice (dose effect), while acute effects of individual sessions were modest and limited to craving only; improvements were present across most participants but showed notable variability.
- Very small sample (n=9), limiting generalizability. - Non-randomized case-series design prevents causal inference. - Study was not preregistered, raising risk of analytic flexibility.
For patients with gambling disorder, consistent and accumulated mindfulness practice—not just attending single sessions—appears to drive symptom improvement. Clinicians should encourage ongoing daily practice rather than relying on acute session effects alone.
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