Evidence-based Therapist Guided Introduction to Online Heavy Cannabis Use Treatment in Canadian Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
| Journal | Journal of cannabis research |
| Study Type | Randomized Trial |
| Population | Human participants |
This item covers developments relevant to cannabis medicine and clinical practice. Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material.
Many people who engage in heavy cannabis use do not seek treatment, and those who do are often met with long treatment wait times or high cost of services. Online treatment programs reduce barriers to accessing treatment in a timely manner. Online cannabis use treatment programs are effective, showing moderate effect sizes, particularly with text-based therapist support. Literature suggests brief therapist-guided introductions (i.e., self-completed interventions offered with the support of a therapist) informed by Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) may help to bolster and maintain program gains. The current evaluation of MET-informed therapist-guided introduction was conducted with a sample of Canadians who report heavy cannabis use, using a new Canadian version of CANreduce, an online treatment program for heavy cannabis use. The intervention was pre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov for traceability (ID: NCT04965012). Participants (N = 152) were randomized into one of three condit
“This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.”
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FAQ
Why are online programs being studied for heavy cannabis use?
Many people who use cannabis heavily do not seek treatment, and those who do often face long wait times or high costs. Online treatment programs reduce these barriers and allow people to access treatment in a timely manner. This trial evaluated an online program for Canadian adults who report heavy cannabis use.
Do online treatment programs for cannabis use actually work?
According to the summary, online cannabis use treatment programs are effective, showing moderate effect sizes, particularly when they include text-based therapist support. This statement reflects the existing literature that motivated the trial, rather than the results of this specific trial.
What is a therapist-guided introduction to an online cannabis program?
It is a brief, self-completed intervention offered with the support of a therapist. In this trial, the introduction was informed by Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Previous literature suggests this kind of therapist-guided introduction may help bolster and maintain the gains people make in an online program.
What is CANreduce, and how was this trial set up?
CANreduce is an online treatment program for heavy cannabis use. This trial used a new Canadian version of it with Canadians who report heavy cannabis use, randomizing 152 participants into one of three conditions. The intervention was pre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov for traceability under the ID NCT04965012.
