A controlled trial of an internet-based intervention program for cannabis users.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Cannabis use disorder is a growing public health concern.
• Effective, accessible treatments for cannabis use disorder are needed.
• Internet-based interventions offer a novel approach to treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of "quit the shit," a web-based intervention for young people with cannabis use disorder.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on cannabis consumption frequency and quantity.
• To examine effects on secondary outcomes including self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A two-arm controlled trial was conducted with 1,292 participants seeking web-based treatment.
• Participants were randomized to a 50-day intervention program or a waitlist control group.
• Per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses were performed at a 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed a significantly greater reduction in cannabis use compared to the control group.
• Moderate-to-strong effects were observed for reduced frequency and quantity of cannabis consumption.
• Small-to-moderate effects were found for improvements in self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The web-based "quit the shit" intervention appears to be an effective treatment option for individuals with cannabis-related problems.
• Digital health solutions show promise for addressing cannabis use disorder.
• Further research is warranted to confirm findings and explore long-term outcomes.