Real-Time Mobile Support Reduced Cannabis Cravings More Than Therapy Alone | Research

The takeaway

Young adults with cannabis use disorder who received motivational therapy plus real-time mobile support when triggers occurred showed greater reductions in cannabis temptation and dependence than those receiving therapy alone.

People trying to quit cannabis; addiction therapists; digital health developers

Large effect size (eta-squared = 0.35) for temptation reduction with mobile-augmented therapy

What the researchers found

Ecological momentary motivational enhancement therapy (EM-MET) was associated with greater reductions in cannabis temptation (Partial eta-squared = 0.35, P < 0.001) and dependence severity (Partial eta-squared = 0.24, P < 0.001) compared to standard motivational enhancement therapy alone.

Why it matters

Cannabis use disorder has limited evidence-based treatments. This study shows that adding real-time mobile-triggered support to standard therapy meaningfully improves outcomes.

The numbers in context

Temptation reduction: F = 37.09, Partial eta-squared = 0.35, P < 0.001. Dependence severity reduction: Partial eta-squared = 0.24, P < 0.001. 70 participants total across three treatment centers.

How the study worked

Multicenter single-blinded RCT in Tehran, Iran. 70 young adults with cannabis use disorder randomized to EM-MET (n=35) or MET alone (n=35). EM-MET added two weeks of ecological momentary assessment with therapist phone calls triggered by reported cannabis use triggers.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample size (70 total). Conducted in Iran, which may limit generalizability to other cultural contexts. Only the data analyst was blinded. Short follow-up period.

How to read the evidence

Randomized controlled trial with significant effect sizes; moderate because of small sample and single-blinded design.

When this study was published

2025 publication of a 2023 trial

The bigger picture

Mobile-based interventions can extend therapy beyond the clinic into the moments when people are most vulnerable to relapse. This approach could be adapted for other substance use disorders.

Questions still open

Would automated mobile support (without therapist calls) be equally effective? How long do the benefits persist after the intervention ends? Can this approach be scaled in under-resourced settings?

Common questions

What is ecological momentary assessment?

A method where participants report their experiences (like cravings or triggers) in real-time through a mobile device. In this study, reporting a trigger automatically connected the participant with a therapist for immediate support.

Is this treatment available?

This was a research trial and the specific EM-MET protocol is not yet widely available. However, the principle of mobile-augmented therapy is being explored in multiple substance use treatment contexts.

Read the original research

Effect of mobile-based ecological momentary motivational enhancement therapy on cannabis use temptation and dependence severity among Iranian young adults with cannabis use disorder: A randomized clinical trial.

Drug and alcohol dependence, 277, 112957

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Darharaj, Mohammad; Roshanpajouh, Mohsen; Amini, Mahdi; Shrier, Lydia A; Hamraz, Iman; Habibi Asgarabad, Mojtaba. (2025). Effect of mobile-based ecological momentary motivational enhancement therapy on cannabis use temptation and dependence severity among Iranian young adults with cannabis use disorder: A randomized clinical trial.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 277, 112957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112957