Marijuana Education Program for Cannabis Use Disorder

Overseen By Jessica Taylor

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore

Must be taking: Antipsychotics

Disqualifiers: Age, Schizophrenia, Cannabis use, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assist individuals who have experienced their first episode of psychosis and are dealing with persistent cannabis use. The focus is on adapting the Teen Marijuana Check Up (TMCU) program to educate participants about the risks of cannabis use and encourage better engagement with treatment and medication. The trial includes two sessions where participants discuss their cannabis use and receive personalized feedback and guidance on reducing or stopping use. It seeks individuals aged 13-35 who have had psychosis for less than two years, are part of a Coordinated Specialty Care program, and currently use cannabis. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that may enhance future treatment approaches.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions maintaining antipsychotic adherence, which suggests you may need to continue any prescribed antipsychotic medications.

What prior data suggests that this program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that the Teen Marijuana Check-Up (TMCU) is a program that participants find easy to handle. Schools have used it to support teenagers concerned about their marijuana use. The TMCU includes two sessions where participants discuss their marijuana habits and receive personalized feedback. This non-invasive method does not involve medication or medical procedures, reducing the chance of side effects.

Studies have found that TMCU helps teenagers reflect on and possibly change their marijuana use. No reports of negative effects have been directly linked to TMCU sessions. As a counseling-based program, it focuses on discussion and learning rather than physical treatments, making it generally safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Teen Marijuana Check Up because it takes a personalized and motivational approach to help young people with cannabis use disorder, especially those experiencing first episode psychosis. Unlike standard treatments, which might involve medication or general therapy, this program uses motivational interviewing to engage teens in meaningful conversations about their marijuana use. The intervention is tailored to each individual, with personalized feedback that helps them contemplate and commit to changes in their behavior. This targeted, conversational method is what sets it apart and holds promise for effectively reducing or stopping marijuana use among youths.

What evidence suggests that the Teen Marijuana Check Up is effective for cannabis use disorder?

Research has shown that the Teen Marijuana Check Up (TMCU) can help reduce marijuana use among teens. One study found that motivational enhancement therapy, a key part of TMCU, decreased cannabis use and related issues. This method uses personalized feedback and motivational interviewing, which have effectively encouraged change. In this trial, the program has been adapted for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis, focusing on reducing harm from cannabis. Although specific data on this adapted version is limited, earlier findings suggest it may help reduce use among regular cannabis users. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young people aged 13-35 who are part of a Coordinated Specialty Care program and have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or related disorders. They must have had the illness for less than two years and currently use cannabis. Participants need to be able to understand and agree to join the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 13 and 35 years old.

Ability and willingness to provide informed consent to participate

I have been diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals who do not meet all inclusion criteria are excluded.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo the adapted Teen Marijuana Checkup intervention, which includes two sessions focusing on motivational interviewing and personalized feedback.

2 weeks

2 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cannabis use and psychosis symptoms immediately after the intervention.

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Teen Marijuana Check Up

Trial Overview The study is testing an adapted Teen Marijuana Check Up program tailored for those with first episode psychosis who persistently use cannabis. It aims to educate on safer cannabis use, maintain engagement in specialty care, adhere to antipsychotic treatment, and reduce harm from cannabis.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Teen Marijuana Checkup - adapted Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Teen Marijuana Checkup will be adapted for youth and young adults with first episode psychosis. The Teen Marijuana Checkup includes two intervention sessions. In Session 1, the interventionist uses motivational interviewing skills to hear the adolescent's history and current concerns with marijuana. The personalized feedback report generated from the baseline assessment is reviewed. In Session 2, the interventionist elicits change talk and guides discussion on making changes to reduce or stop marijuana use.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Lead Sponsor

Trials

729

Recruited

540,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Marijuana Check-up (MCU) successfully attracted near-daily marijuana users who were experiencing negative consequences but were ambivalent about seeking treatment, with 587 participants expressing interest.

Participants in the MCU reported fewer problems related to marijuana use and less readiness to change compared to those in a concurrent treatment program, indicating that the MCU may serve as an effective intervention for users not ready to quit.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Marijuana Check-up: reaching users who are ambivalent about change. Stephens, RS., Roffman, RA., Fearer, SA., et al.[2022]

The Teen Marijuana Check-Up (TMCU) is an effective intervention for reducing marijuana use among adolescents, and this trial will test a new 'as-needed' technical assistance strategy for its implementation in schools, compared to traditional methods.

The study aims to demonstrate that the 'as-needed' approach can maintain TMCU fidelity and effectiveness while being more cost-efficient, potentially allowing for broader application of this model in various health settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing the teen marijuana check-up in schools-a study protocol. Hartzler, B., Lyon, AR., Walker, DD., 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]

Cognitive behavioral therapies, especially family-based and youth-focused models, are the most effective treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in adolescents, promoting significant reductions in cannabis use.

Some medications may help alleviate cannabis cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of these treatments as cannabis use trends evolve.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorders. Adams, ZW., Marriott, BR., Hulvershorn, LA., et al.[2023]

Cognitive behavioral therapies, especially family-based and youth-focused models, are the most effective treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in adolescents, promoting significant reductions in cannabis use.

Some medications may help alleviate cannabis cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of these treatments as cannabis use trends evolve.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorders. Adams, ZW., Marriott, BR., Hulvershorn, LA., et al.[2023]

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug among adolescents in the United States, and its health risks are often underestimated by teens, parents, and healthcare providers.

The article emphasizes the need for increased awareness and education about the dangers of marijuana use, including its effects on adolescent behavior and the importance of professional counseling for those using the drug.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Marijuana and adolescents. Nistler, C., Hodgson, H., Nobrega, FT., et al.[2019]

The Teen Marijuana Check-Up is a brief, motivational intervention aimed at helping adolescent marijuana users assess their usage in a non-pressured, confidential setting, which encourages voluntary participation.

Initial outcomes from two trials suggest that this tailored approach may improve engagement and effectiveness compared to traditional counseling methods that rely on non-voluntary participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Teen Marijuana Check-Up: An In-School Protocol for Eliciting Voluntary Self-Assessment of Marijuana Use. Swan, M., Schwartz, S., Berg, B., et al.[2021]

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]

Marijuana use among eighth, 10th, and 12th grade students has significantly increased over the past five years, with some demographics experiencing a tripling of usage, potentially influenced by factors like the legalization debate and lack of communication about drug use.

The In-DEPTH program, which focuses on education and intervention strategies regarding adolescent marijuana use, has shown initial success in reducing usage and changing beliefs about marijuana in small multisite surveys.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Marijuana use prevention: the In-DEPTH model program. Lafferty, L.[2004]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2613344/

The Teen Marijuana Check-Up: An In-School Protocol for ... Seventy-one percent of the participating teens used marijuana weekly and 86% met criteria for abuse or dependence. At the time of admission, 74% had no history ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01109563

Study Details | NCT01109563 | Teen Marijuana Check-Up This study will test a behavioral intervention tailored for adolescents who smoke marijuana and have concerns about their use.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5553739/

Implementing the teen marijuana check-up in schools—a ... Baseline assessment will gather demography, contact information, and TMCU personal feedback report data on marijuana use, problems, motives, ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0740547207001900

The adolescent cannabis check-up: Randomized trial of a ... The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a brief motivational enhancement therapy in reducing cannabis use and cannabis-related problems in a ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04624074

Study Details | NCT04624074 | Pilot Testing the Check Up Teen Marijuana Checkup will be adapted for youth and young adults with first episode psychosis. The Teen Marijuana Checkup includes two intervention sessions.

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-marijuana-abuse-2021-4b684

Marijuana Education Program for Cannabis Use Disorder The Teen Marijuana Check-Up is a counseling program designed to help adolescents voluntarily assess their marijuana use. It is implemented in schools and ...