A Mobile App to Reduce and/or Quit Cannabis Use

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

CBT-based intervention: * 1st week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use, myths regarding cannabis use and its health consequences, motives for cannabis use reduction/quitting, psychoeducation concerning withdrawal symptomatology, therapist's recommendation (progressive reduction of cannabis use). * 2nd week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use, myths regarding cannabis use and its health and behavioral consequences, identification of triggers, alternatives to cannabis use, therapist's recommendation (progressive reduction of cannabis use). * 3rd week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use benefits from quitting cannabis, behavioral activation, diaphragmatic breathing, training in social abilities, strategies to prevent smoking, therapist's recommendation (progressive reduction of cannabis use). * 4th week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use (i.e., nº of joints/cigarettes), high-risk situations for relapse, lapse vs. relapse, coping strategies, relapse prevention plan.

Self-help guide: Psychoeducation on cannabis.

Study summary

This study aims to develop an App-based intervention (CANQUIT) aimed at regular cannabis users. The efficacy of this intervention will be evaluated in the short-term (1-month follow-up) and long-term (3- and 6-months follow-ups) using a sample of 120 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental arm (App-assisted CBT-based intervention) or the control (App-assisted self-help guide). The study will also estimate the economic impact of the intervention by considering the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and net benefit (in €) associated with the total cost of the program. The goal is to provide evidence that can inform policy decisions regarding cannabis use and minimize the negative consequences on the physical and mental health of young adults in Spain. This study aims to offer a cost-effective prevention strategy that minimize the negative consequences on the physical and mental health of young adults in Spain.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Cannabis abstinence — 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PP) at 4-week follow-up (FU), 3-months follow-up (FU), 6-months follow-up (FU)
  * Self-reported point prevalence cannabis abstinence * Continuous self-reported cannabis abstinence
• Cannabis reduction — 4 weeks follow-up (FU), 3 months follow-up (FU), 6 months follow-up (FU)
  * Self-reported reduction in quantity of cannabis used on a weekly basis (daily joints, number of hashish/marijuana joints, grams) * Decreases in self-reported past-month frequency of cannabis use (i.e., once, less than one per week, once/twice per week, 3-4 times a week, 5-6 times a week, every day).
• Acceptability — 4-week follow-up (FU)
  Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8). The CSQ-8 is an 8-item questionnaire that evaluates the level of satisfaction with the treatment received by the participants. Scores range between 8-32, with higher scores indicating higher levels of satisfaction.

Trial sites (2)