Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Drug Abusers: a Prospective Study

This study of the effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on drug abuse was performed to determine what therapeutic value the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique has in reducing the use of nonprescribed drugs. Ten experimental and ten control subjects, matched for past drug use, were monitored for drug consumption over a three-month period. Subjects in the experimental group, who were instructed in the Transcendental Meditation technique, showed a marked decrease in drug usage (p <.OJ for hashish), whereas the control subjects maintained a high usage level. Psychological tests administered to both groups indicated that the meditators showed increased self-acceptance, increased satisfaction, increased ability to adjust, and decreased anxiety in comparison to the nonmeditating controls. Subjectively, the meditating group expressed increased joyfulness and fulfillment as well as improved mental and physical well-being. The Transcendental Meditation program therefore appears to be a powerful tool for the rehabilitation of drug abusers.