The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing Impulsivity Among Heroin-Addicted Adults Elizabeth Nelson Palo Alto University The Role of Guided Meditation in Reducing Impulsivity Among Heroin-Addicted Adults Impulse control is believed to and decision making, both executive functions, are central to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994). Damage to this area increases deficits in decision making (Bechara et. al.,1994). Research has shown that chronic heroin use negatively impacts an individual's ability to curb impulses, leading to a lack of planning and decreased adaptive and social cognition (Pau, Lee, & Chan, 2001). Heroin is a powerful opioid that crosses the blood-brain barrier and produces a powerful euphoria (Pau, Lee, & Chan, 2001). Impulse control is defined as an individual's tendency to act on emerging desires or impulses (Murphy & Mackillop, 2012). Increased awareness has been shown to reduce the urge to use substances in substance-dependent individuals (Murphy & Mackillop, 2012). Mindfulness focuses on an emphasis on staying in the present moment, the natural impermanence of things in an individual's environment, and awareness of actions such as noticing what is experienced without judgment or reactive behavior (Murphy & Mackillop, 2012). Research on the implementation of mindfulness techniques and their ability to reduce impulsivity is needed in order to examine how heroin-dependent adults react cognitively, behaviorally, and physiologically to external stimuli. Impulsivity in heroin-dependent adultsResearch on the impact of chronic heroin use on humans executive function is poor (Pau, Lee, & Chan, 2001). Pau, Lee, and Chan (2001) studied the impact of heroism on participants' overall drug and alcohol history. Some participants may miss one or more meditation groups. Participants missing more than three groups will be eliminated from the analysis of results. Participants may also omit information about current drug and alcohol use. There is always the possibility of drugs or alcohol entering a treatment facility; Random drug testing should be used. Empirical research is needed on how heroin-dependent adults can begin to improve impulse control and decision making. Greater impulsivity increases the chances that an individual will be able to remain abstinent from heroin. If the meditation technique implemented in this study significantly improves impulse control, the findings should be replicated and the clinical application of meditation focused on impulse resistance should be applied in clinical settings.