Group Activities to Support Addiction Recovery

Overview

The purpose of this study is to pilot the use of Holotropic Breathwork (HB) for individuals seeking to recover from addiction. The study will have two arms: A--for individuals in residential treatment programs, B--for individuals living in the community. Arm A will use a cluster randomized intervention, providing HB for individuals at two facilities and a Multiple Modality (MM) intervention (soundbath, meditation, and a film/discussion) at a third facility. In Arm B, we seek to measure the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of HB among people with addiction living in the community. Arm B will be comprised of a single group and participants in this group will receive the same HB experience as the participants in the Arm A HB group. HB is the practice of self-directed hyperventilation while lying down with the support of a selected music set and trained facilitators. Participants may experience an expanded state of consciousness with altered cognition, perception, and emotions. HB has been associated improved mental functioning among the general public and people in addiction treatment, but has never been evaluated in a controlled trial. Inclusion criteria consist of being 19 years of age or older and having met criteria for a substance use disorder within the past five years. Additional inclusion criteria for participants in arm A include being in a residential addiction treatment program at CenterPointe or the Bridge. Exclusion criteria form the Arm A HB group and the Arm B group include having been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder or a psychotic disorder or having had psychotic symptoms at any point in life, diagnosed with a cardiac condition, received care for a cardiac condition, or have current cardiac symptoms, ever diagnosed with a seizure disorder, current uncontrolled hypertension (140/90 or greater), diagnosed with glaucoma or retinal detachment, recent surgeries, or currently pregnant. Four breathwork sessions will be held: two at the UNMC College of Nursing in Lincoln, one at CenterPointe in Omaha, and one at The Bridge in Lincoln. One MM session will be held at The Bridge in Lincoln.

This study evaluates the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and preliminary psychological and behavioral effects of Holotropic Breathwork (HB) as a supportive intervention for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. HB is compared with a Multiple-Modality (MM) activity day in the residential setting. The study also assesses HB delivered to individuals in community-based recovery settings. Study Overview The project includes two primary participant groups: Arm A - Residential Participants Participants are recruited from two residential treatment programs (CenterPointe Omaha and The Bridge Lincoln). This arm uses cluster randomization: two sites will host the HB intervention, while an independent residential cohort at The Bridge will receive the MM intervention. Participants at each site receive the intervention assigned to their facility. Arm B - Community Participants Community members in addiction recovery are recruited via flyers, social media, and word-of-mouth. Arm B participants receive HB only and are included to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and pre/post changes in functioning. Across both arms, participants are evaluated at baseline, \<24 hours post-intervention, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up. Rationale and Scientific Framework Holotropic Breathwork is a structured, facilitator-led breathing practice designed to produce non-ordinary states of consciousness without the use of pharmacological agents. Prior research suggests HB may improve psychological, interpersonal, and existential functioning-domains strongly associated with addiction recovery. Guided by conceptual models from psychedelic-assisted therapy research, this study hypothesizes that HB may elicit: Mystical-type experiences Challenging experiences Emotional breakthroughs These experiences may lead to psychological insight, which may contribute to improvements in mood, interpersonal relationships, existential wellbeing, and ultimately reductions in cravings or lapses. Interventions Holotropic Breathwork (HB) HB sessions may include up to 30 participants and follow a standardized protocol conducted by certified facilitators and trained apprentices (approximate facilitator-to-breather ratio 1:5). HB events comprise the following elements: Pre-Session Screening Urine pregnancy test for participants who could become pregnant Seated blood pressure measurement (must be \<140/90) Review of PHQ-9 to identify acute suicide risk Assessment of medical and psychiatric exclusion criteria Opening Circle Participant introductions Review of confidentiality, safety expectations, and session agreements Educational Presentation (\~60 minutes) Content includes: History and principles of HB Hylotropic vs. holotropic states Grof's cartography of the psyche (biographical, perinatal, and transpersonal domains) COEX systems and emotional memory patterns Strategies for navigating challenging experiences Roles of breathers and sitters Individual Readiness Check-ins Each participant meets briefly with a facilitator to assess emotional readiness and address questions. Breathwork Session (\~2 hours 20 minutes) Participants lie on mats, typically using eyeshades Guided relaxation prompts followed by intensified, self-paced breathing Purposefully sequenced music supports the internal process Sitters provide assistance only upon explicit request Facilitators monitor safety continuously and may support participants through physical expressions of emotional release, ensuring all touch is participant-directed and consent-based Post-Session Processing Brief one-on-one check-ins with a facilitator Participants may draw, write, or rest Integration Presentation (\~60 minutes) Overview of formal and informal integration practices Guidance on self-care, managing stimulation, and delaying major decisions Discussion of appropriate sharing of HB experiences Closing Circle Participants share reflections voluntarily; additional one-on-one support is available. HB sessions conducted in Arm B follow the same structure and staffing. Multiple-Modality (MM) Activity Day (Arm A Comparator) The MM day is an attention-matched comparator condition designed to provide supportive, group-based activities without inducing non-ordinary states of consciousness. It is delivered only at The Bridge Lincoln. The MM session includes: Opening Circle Participants introduce themselves and may share recovery reflections. Sound Bath Introduction Video (7 minutes) A brief educational video describing sound-based relaxation practices. Sound Bath Session (20 minutes) Participants experience a guided sound bath in a quiet, low-stimulation environment. Progressive Relaxation Exercise (11 minutes) A recorded body-relaxation sequence guides participants through calming techniques. Film Screening (1 hour 43 minutes) Participants view Ben Is Back, a film depicting addiction and family dynamics. Facilitated Group Discussion A trained UNMC nursing faculty member leads a structured conversation on themes from the film. Closing Circle Participants may share insights or reflections before the session ends. Unlike HB, MM activities pose no known physiological risks; therefore individuals excluded from HB remain eligible for the MM day. Eligibility Criteria Inclusion Criteria Adults aged 19 and older Met criteria for a substance use disorder within the past 5 years Arm A participants must be enrolled in residential treatment Exclusion Criteria for HB (Arm A HB and Arm B) Participants are excluded from HB if any of the following apply: Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar disorder Psychotic disorder or lifetime history of psychotic symptoms Cardiac condition, history of cardiac treatment, or current cardiac symptoms Seizure disorder Uncontrolled hypertension (≥140/90) Glaucoma or retinal detachment Recent significant surgeries Pregnancy Acute suicidal ideation with plan or intent These exclusions do not apply to MM participants. Recruitment and Informed Consent Arm A (Residential) The PI works with clinical staff to identify eligible residents. The PI delivers a standardized presentation, answers questions, and obtains individual informed consent in a private setting. Arm B (Community) Recruitment materials are posted through treatment centers, recovery organizations, and social media. Interested individuals contact the PI, receive study information, and complete consent via Zoom or in private at a participating site. Data Collection and Outcome Measures Assessments occur at: Baseline \<24 hours post-session 1 month 3 months 6 months Measures include: Substance use: Timeline Followback, craving scale Mental health: PHQ-9, GAD-7 Interpersonal functioning: SIFS Existential functioning: PIL-SF Psychological insight: PILS-6 Experiential measures: Mystical Experience Questionnaire, Challenging Experience Questionnaire, Emotional Breakthrough Inventory Acceptability surveys All follow-up surveys are administered through REDCap. Safety Monitoring Participant safety is supported by: Continuous facilitator monitoring during HB sessions Immediate exclusion of participants with elevated BP or positive pregnancy test Real-time review of PHQ-9 scores by the PI Same-day and next-day follow-ups for participants experiencing significant emotional reactions Transportation assistance for participants who are physically unsteady Emergency protocols including activation of emergency medical services when indicated Stopping Rule The study will be halted if more than 15% of participants require outside medical or psychiatric treatment related to the intervention. Integration Support HB participants are invited to attend two optional Zoom-based integration groups held: 5-7 days post-session 12-14 days post-session Sessions are led by certified facilitators and apprentices. These groups offer guidance and reflection but do not involve data collection. Statistical Analysis Paired-samples t-tests will evaluate pre-post changes within HB participants. Chi-square tests will compare cravings and lapses between HB and MM groups in Arm A. Feasibility and acceptability metrics will include recruitment yield, attrition, survey completeness, and qualitative acceptability responses. The study is not powered for definitive clinical outcomes but will provide effect-size estimates and procedural feasibility data to inform larger trials. Potential Benefits and Risks Participants may experience reductions in stress or anxiety, emotional release, heightened psychological insight, and enhanced purpose or meaning in life. Risks include temporary dizziness, emotional discomfort, recollection of traumatic events, and other transient psychological reactions. HB has a long history of safe use when conducted by certified facilitators.