Developments in the treatment of cannabis use disorder

Describes recent developments in the treatment of cannabis abuse and dependence in the general and special populations. The research literature on randomised controlled trials of interventions for cannabis use disorder is only a decade old. In the past year only one such trial has been accepted for publication. This trial of cognitive-behavioural interventions compared two sessions of motivational enhancement therapy with nine sessions of a multi-component therapy that added cognitive-behavioural therapy and case management. At 4 months from randomisation the treatment reduced cannabis smoking and associated consequences, such as dependence symptoms, significantly more than the two-session treatment, which significantly reduced cannabis use relative to the delayed treatment controlled condition. At 15 months followup the superior outcome for the more intensive intervention had dissipated; however, a significant improvement from baseline was maintained. Whereas relatively brief cognitive-behavioural therapy has the strongest evidence of success for adults with cannabis dependence, among adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system and those with severe, persistent mental illness, longer and more intensive therapies provided by interdisciplinary teams may be required. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)