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The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Mindfulness Meditation on the Quality of Life (QOL) of alcoholics. A quantitative experimental evaluative approach was adapted and pre-experimental research design (one group pre-test – post-test design) was used. The sample consisting of 30 alcoholics in the selected de-addiction centre chosen by purposive sampling technique. Tools used were baseline proforma, QOL and Mindfulness Meditation skills rating scales. The data were analysed using paired ‘t’ test, ANOVA for repeated measures, Karl Pearson co-relation co-efficient and chi-square. The study revealed that mean post-test QOL score (101.57±13.7) was greater than the mean pre-test QOL score (121.70±10.02). There was a significant difference between the preintervention and post-intervention QOL scores (t 29=8.718; p<0.05) . The mean of 15th day of Mindfulness Meditation Skill score (68.13±4.0) was greater than the mean of 5th day (55.53±7.06) and 10th day (60.80±4.7) scores. There was a significant difference between the three different days of assessment (F=89.80, p<0.05). This indicates that the skill in Mindfulness Meditation increases when the number of days of practice progresses. There was a moderate positive correlation between post-interventional QOL and 15th day Mindfulness Meditation skill level (r=0.57). This indicates that there is a significant relation between post-intervention QOL score and 15th day Mindfulness Meditation Skill scores. There was no association between pre-intervention QOL and selected baseline characteristics. The result showed that Mindfulness Meditation had a statistically significant positive effect on the QOL of the alcoholics.

Background: Even though psychotropic medication is an effective treatment modality, high rates of nonadherence to these medications is common among patients with psychiatric disorders. One of the biggest challenges in treating psychiatric patients is lack of medication adherence which can lead to relapse, rehospitalisation and poor quality of life. Aims: To assess adherence to psychotropic medications among psychiatric patients. Materials and Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross sectional design. The sample comprised of 300 psychiatric patients who visited the Out Patient Department of Psychiatry at a selected hospital. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess the level of adherence to medication. Results: A total of 300 patients participated in the study. Majority (62.7%) of the subjects were adherent and 37.3% of the subjects were non-adherent to psychotropic drugs. The mean adherence score was 6.26 (±2.35). The study revealed that there was a significant association of adherence to psychotropic drugs and patients place of living (p=.044). Conclusion: In treating psychiatric patients, non-adherence to medicines is a significant challenge faced by healthcare professionals and it results in poor outcome.