Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use Disorder

(Bloom Trial)

Overseen By Kathryn Gex, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Substance use treatment, Severe alcohol use, SUD, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 2 weeks

62 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to compare two brief interventions targeting potentially problematic cannabis use in emerging adults (ages 18-25). Brief interventions are two 40-50 minute sessions separated by 1 week. Eligible emerging adults will complete a detailed cannabis assessment (biological and self-report), followed by one of the two brief interventions, and three follow-up assessments: one immediately after the second session and at 1- and 3-months post-intervention. Assignment to the brief intervention is random. Salivary samples will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and both follow-ups, for a total of 4 samples, to be tested for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are currently in treatment for substance use or have severe medical or psychiatric issues, you may not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Health Education and Values in Action for Cannabis Use Disorder?

Research shows that brief interventions for cannabis use can have modest, short-term effects, suggesting that treatments like Health Education and Values in Action might help reduce cannabis use in the short term. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the treatment 'Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use Disorder' different from other treatments for this condition?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on brief interventions, which are short, focused conversations aimed at increasing awareness and motivation to change cannabis use, particularly effective for young adults who perceive high social acceptance of cannabis. Unlike traditional treatments, it does not rely on medication but rather on enhancing personal values and health education to encourage behavior change. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Research Team

Kathryn Gex, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Medical University of South Carolina

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults aged 18-25 who have used cannabis on at least 20 of the past 30 days and tested positive for cannabinoids in their urine. They must have completed an intake visit within the last month.

Inclusion Criteria

Completion of an Intake Visit (PRO #94743) in the past 30 days

Submission of a positive urine cannabinoid test during the Intake Visit

Self-report cannabis use on at least 20 days of the past 30 days

Exclusion Criteria

Currently engaged in substance use treatment for any type of substance use

Severe alcohol use disorder or presence of any substance use disorder (SUD) requiring a higher level of care

Significant or acutely unstable medical or psychiatric problems (i.e., psychosis, mania) that would contraindicate research procedures, interfere with safety, compromise data integrity, or preclude consistent study participation

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo two brief intervention sessions targeting cannabis use, each lasting 40-50 minutes, separated by 1 week

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment with assessments at 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month intervals

6 months

3 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Health Education (HealthEdu)
• Values in Action (VIA)

Trial Overview The study compares two short counseling programs, Health Education (HealthEdu) and Values in Action (VIA), to see which one better helps reduce problematic cannabis use. Participants will attend two sessions a week apart and be followed up with three times.

Participant Groups

Group I: Bloom Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Brief intervention providing personalized discussion of values/goals, reasons for cannabis use, and strategies to help live in line with values and achieve goals.

Group II: Health Education (HealthEdu) Active Control 1 Intervention

Brief intervention providing recommendations/advice for good sleep hygiene, nutrition and physical activity, stress, and relationships.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Findings from Research

Only 30% of patients with a new cannabis use disorder (CUD) diagnosis initiated treatment, and just 2.1% both initiated and engaged in treatment, indicating a significant gap in care for individuals with CUD.

Patients diagnosed in addiction treatment settings had the highest rates of treatment initiation (25%) and engagement (40.9%), suggesting that the setting of diagnosis plays a crucial role in treatment uptake.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The prevalence of Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) initiation and engagement in treatment among patients with cannabis use disorders in 7 US health systems. Lapham, GT., Campbell, CI., Yarborough, BJH., et al.[2020]

Adolescent cannabis use can lead to negative effects on development, cognition, and mental health, making it crucial to address this behavior through effective interventions.

Current strategies for managing cannabis use disorder in adolescents show only modest short-term effects, and the referral to treatment is often hindered by a lack of available resources.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Pediatric Primary Care, School-Based Health Clinics, and Mental Health Clinics. Calihan, JB., Levy, S.[2023]

In a study of 1780 unique visits for patients with substance use disorders (SUD), 17.5% left the hospital against medical advice (AMA), highlighting a significant challenge in managing these patients.

The average length of stay for patients evaluated by the harm reduction (HR) team was 6.6 days, compared to just 4.0 days for those who left AMA, suggesting that HR strategies may improve patient retention and care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using a Harm Reduction Approach to Treat Inpatients With Substance Use Disorders. Shields, LBE., LaRocco, M., Young, MW., et al.[2023]

Adolescent cannabis use can lead to negative effects on development, cognition, and mental health, making it crucial to address this behavior through effective interventions.

Current strategies for managing cannabis use in adolescents, including screening and brief interventions, show only modest short-term effectiveness, and there are significant limitations in resources for referring adolescents to treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Pediatric Primary Care, School-Based Health Clinics, and Mental Health Clinics. Calihan, JB., Levy, S.[2023]

Among individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD), 40.15% had visited the emergency department and 10.04% had been hospitalized in the past year, indicating significant healthcare utilization.

Factors such as severe alcohol use disorder, female sex, Black race, low income, and major depressive episodes were linked to higher odds of healthcare utilization, suggesting that targeted screening and intervention efforts should focus on these groups to improve treatment engagement for CUD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Problem alcohol use and healthcare utilization among persons with cannabis use disorder in the United States. John, WS., Wu, LT.[2022]

This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of brief interventions for cannabis use among emerging adults (ages 18-25), a group that is increasingly using cannabis and may benefit from increased awareness and motivation to change their habits.

The review will analyze various study designs and outcomes related to cannabis use, including mental health and academic performance, to provide evidence-based recommendations for post-secondary institutions on implementing effective intervention strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief interventions for cannabis use in emerging adults: protocol for a systematic review, meta-analysis, and evidence map. Halladay, J., Petker, T., Fein, A., et al.[2023]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 100 male patients with cannabis use disorder, a brief intervention led to a significant reduction in the number of days cannabis was used compared to simple advice over a 12-week period.

While both groups showed improvements in dependence severity, the brief intervention group demonstrated a more effective reduction in cannabis use, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to routine management for cannabis use disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial of brief intervention for patients with cannabis use disorder. Shekhawat, AS., Mathur, R., Sarkar, S., et al.[2023]

A study involving 134 young, high-frequency cannabis users showed that Brief Interventions (BIs) led to significant long-term reductions in risky behaviors, such as deep inhalation and driving after cannabis use, which were maintained over 12 months.

The findings suggest that BIs can be an effective public health tool for reducing risks associated with cannabis use, as the positive effects observed at 3 months continued to be evident a year later.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

12-month follow-up of an exploratory 'brief intervention' for high-frequency cannabis users among Canadian university students. Fischer, B., Jones, W., Shuper, P., et al.[2022]

A web-based intervention called eCHECKUP TO GO-marijuana significantly reduced marijuana use among students who were already taking steps to change their behavior, as indicated by high scores on the Action dimension of the Readiness-to-Change Questionnaire.

The study involved 123 monthly marijuana-using students and found that those in the intervention group reported fewer days of use at the 3-month follow-up compared to a control group, highlighting the intervention's potential effectiveness for motivated individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Readiness-to-change as a moderator of a web-based brief intervention for marijuana among students identified by health center screening. Palfai, TP., Tahaney, K., Winter, M., et al.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The prevalence of Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) initiation and engagement in treatment among patients with cannabis use disorders in 7 US health systems. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Pediatric Primary Care, School-Based Health Clinics, and Mental Health Clinics. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using a Harm Reduction Approach to Treat Inpatients With Substance Use Disorders. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Pediatric Primary Care, School-Based Health Clinics, and Mental Health Clinics. [2023]

5. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Problem alcohol use and healthcare utilization among persons with cannabis use disorder in the United States. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief interventions for cannabis use in emerging adults: protocol for a systematic review, meta-analysis, and evidence map. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial of brief intervention for patients with cannabis use disorder. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

12-month follow-up of an exploratory 'brief intervention' for high-frequency cannabis users among Canadian university students. [2022]

9. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Readiness-to-change as a moderator of a web-based brief intervention for marijuana among students identified by health center screening. [2018]