A Digital Therapy App More Than Doubled Abstinence Rates for Substance Use Disorders
A digital therapeutic delivering behavioral therapy more than doubled 12-week abstinence rates (40.3% vs 17.6%) and improved treatment retention for people with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or stimulant use disorders.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 399 patients with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or stimulant use disorders, those receiving the digital therapeutic plus treatment-as-usual (with reduced counseling) achieved significantly higher abstinence at weeks 9-12 (40.3% vs 17.6%, P<0.001) and better treatment retention (P=0.004). Adverse event rates were similar between groups.
Key Numbers
399 patients; 40.3% vs 17.6% abstinence (P<0.001); improved retention (P=0.004); 12-week treatment; substances: alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, stimulants
How They Did This
Secondary analysis of a published RCT, excluding patients with opioid use disorder. 399 patients randomized to treatment-as-usual (n=193) or TAU with reduced counseling plus a digital therapeutic providing cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management (n=206) for 12 weeks.
Why This Research Matters
Face-to-face substance abuse treatment has significant access barriers. A digital therapeutic that can be used remotely while maintaining or improving outcomes addresses a critical treatment gap.
The Bigger Picture
Digital therapeutics are an emerging field that could transform substance abuse treatment by reaching patients who cannot access traditional programs. This study provides evidence that app-based therapy works for cannabis and other SUDs.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Secondary analysis excluding OUD patients. Cannot separate effects of the digital therapeutic from the contingency management component. Primary substances not analyzed separately.
Questions This Raises
- ?How effective was the digital therapeutic specifically for cannabis use disorder?
- ?Would long-term follow-up show sustained abstinence beyond 12 weeks?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 40.3% vs 17.6% abstinence rate
- Evidence Grade:
- Secondary analysis of an RCT with meaningful sample size, but cannabis outcomes not reported separately.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022
- Original Title:
- Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance use disorder: Secondary analysis of data from a NIDA clinical trials network study.
- Published In:
- Substance abuse, 43(1), 937-942 (2022)
- Authors:
- Maricich, Yuri A, Nunes, Edward V(7), Campbell, Aimee N C(2), Botbyl, Jeffrey D, Luderer, Hilary F
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04042
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 an app help treat cannabis use disorder?
This study found a digital therapeutic delivering cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management more than doubled abstinence rates for substance use disorders including cannabis. However, cannabis-specific results were not reported separately.
How did the digital therapy work?
The app provided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management (rewards for meeting goals). Even with reduced in-person counseling, the digital group had better abstinence and treatment retention.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04042APA
Maricich, Yuri A; Nunes, Edward V; Campbell, Aimee N C; Botbyl, Jeffrey D; Luderer, Hilary F. (2022). Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance use disorder: Secondary analysis of data from a NIDA clinical trials network study.. Substance abuse, 43(1), 937-942. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2022.2060425
MLA
Maricich, Yuri A, et al. "Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance use disorder: Secondary analysis of data from a NIDA clinical trials network study.." Substance abuse, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2022.2060425
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance u..." RTHC-04042. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/maricich-2022-safety-and-efficacy-of
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.