Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Cannabis Use Cessation in First-Episode Psychosis Patients: A 1-Year...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Cannabis use negatively impacts first-episode psychosis (FEP) development and prognosis.
• Effective interventions for cannabis cessation in FEP are limited.
• Understanding the impact of cannabis cessation on psychosis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for cannabis cessation (CBT-CC) against treatment as usual (TAU) in FEP patients.
• To evaluate the impact of CBT-CC on reducing cannabis use severity and improving outcomes in FEP.
• To assess the long-term effects of cannabis cessation on psychotic symptoms and functioning.

Main Methods:

• A 1-year, single-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 65 FEP cannabis users.
• Participants were assigned to either CBT-CC or TAU.
• Primary outcome measured was the reduction in cannabis use severity.

Main Results:

• The CBT-CC group showed a greater reduction in cannabis use severity and positive psychotic symptoms over time compared to TAU.
• Significant improvements in functioning were observed in the CBT-CC group post-treatment.
• Faster treatment response, including reduced cannabis use, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, was noted in the CBT-CC group.
• Patients who reduced or stopped cannabis use exhibited decreased psychotic symptoms and increased disease awareness.

Conclusions:

• Early intervention with CBT-CC is effective in reducing cannabis use severity in FEP patients.
• CBT-CC improves clinical and functional outcomes for FEP cannabis users.
• Cannabis cessation is associated with reduced psychotic symptoms and increased disease awareness.