Mobile Mindfulness for Alcohol Use and PTSD Among Veterans

Mindfulness Coach 2.0 is a mobile application designed by the VA's National Center for PTSD. The app provides: (a) psychoeducational topics related to mindfulness; (b) audio-guided mindfulness exercises; (c) self-assessment using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (d) a journal to track mindfulness practice sessions; (e) goal setting and tracking; (f) personal, customizable reminders; and (g) immediate access to support and crisis resources. We will enhance Mindfulness Coach with MBRP content by adding information about the triangle of awareness to understand connections among thoughts, sensations, and emotions, and specific meditations of sober breathing space and urge surfing to deal with cravings. We will add additional MBRP-specific modules. Participants will be asked to complete the intervention during 8 weeks, with two to three modules per week. After a beta test with 20 veterans, feedback will be used to refine the app for the national randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Participants in the control condition will be asked to download an exercise/healthy eating mobile app and use it for 8 weeks. Similar to Mindfulness Coach, the app will have specialized self-management guides that follow a guide-per-week format, educational videos that teach diet and exercise strategies, and a diary to track diet and exercise progress.