Web-based cannabis reduction program worked for adults with ADHD symptoms, also reducing depression and anxiety
Adults screening positive for ADHD who used the CANreduce 2.0 web program reduced cannabis use by 11.5 days per month and showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptom severity.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Both ADHD-positive (n=94) and ADHD-negative (n=273) groups significantly reduced cannabis use days, severity scores, anxiety, and depression. ADHD-positive users showed slightly larger reductions but the between-group difference was not significant. ADHD-positive users also showed decreased ADHD symptom scores.
Key Numbers
ADHD+: n=94, reduced 11.5 use days. ADHD-: n=273, reduced 8.5 use days. ADHD+ SDS reduction: 3.57. ADHD+ anxiety reduction: 4.31. ADHD+ depression reduction: 10.25. ADHD+ symptom reduction: 4.65. No between-group difference (p=.08).
How They Did This
Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Adults with weekly cannabis use completed the CANreduce 2.0 self-guided web intervention (6 weeks, based on MI and CBT). Compared outcomes between ADHD-positive and ADHD-negative screeners at 3-month follow-up.
Why This Research Matters
Adults with ADHD have much higher rates of cannabis use disorder, yet are often excluded from or underserved by treatment programs. This accessible web-based intervention shows promise for this underserved group.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that cannabis reduction also improved ADHD symptoms and mood suggests these conditions may be interconnected, and addressing one may help the others.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Secondary subgroup analysis. ADHD screened not diagnosed. Self-reported outcomes. ADHD-positive users were less likely to complete consumption diaries. No long-term follow-up beyond 3 months.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would ADHD-specific adaptations to the program improve outcomes further?
- ?Is the ADHD symptom improvement a direct result of reduced cannabis use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 11.5-day reduction in monthly cannabis use for adults with ADHD symptoms
- Evidence Grade:
- RCT subgroup analysis with validated instruments, though secondary analysis and screening-based ADHD identification limit conclusions.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Use in Adults Who Screen Positive for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: CANreduce 2.0 Randomized Controlled Trial Subgroup Analysis.
- Published In:
- Journal of medical Internet research, 24(4), e30138 (2022)
- Authors:
- Ahlers, Joachim, Baumgartner, Christian, Augsburger, Mareike, Wenger, Andreas, Malischnig, Doris, Boumparis, Nikolaos, Berger, Thomas, Stark, Lars, Ebert, David D, Haug, Severin, Schaub, Michael P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03654
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can people with ADHD successfully reduce cannabis use?
Yes. In this study, adults with ADHD symptoms reduced cannabis use by about 11.5 days per month using a self-guided web program, with improvements also seen in ADHD symptoms and mood.
Did reducing cannabis help ADHD symptoms?
ADHD symptom scores significantly decreased alongside cannabis reduction, though the study cannot determine if cannabis reduction directly caused the ADHD improvement.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03654APA
Ahlers, Joachim; Baumgartner, Christian; Augsburger, Mareike; Wenger, Andreas; Malischnig, Doris; Boumparis, Nikolaos; Berger, Thomas; Stark, Lars; Ebert, David D; Haug, Severin; Schaub, Michael P. (2022). Cannabis Use in Adults Who Screen Positive for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: CANreduce 2.0 Randomized Controlled Trial Subgroup Analysis.. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(4), e30138. https://doi.org/10.2196/30138
MLA
Ahlers, Joachim, et al. "Cannabis Use in Adults Who Screen Positive for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: CANreduce 2.0 Randomized Controlled Trial Subgroup Analysis.." Journal of medical Internet research, 2022. https://doi.org/10.2196/30138
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Use in Adults Who Screen Positive for Attention Def..." RTHC-03654. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ahlers-2022-cannabis-use-in-adults
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.