Why We Urgently Need Better Treatments for People Who Use Both Tobacco and Cannabis

A review of only 9 existing treatment studies for tobacco-cannabis co-use found promising results for combined approaches, with no compensatory use when treating both simultaneously.

Nguyen, Nhung et al.·Addictive behaviors·2024·Preliminary EvidenceNarrative Review
RTHC-05593Narrative ReviewPreliminary Evidence2024RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Narrative Review
Evidence
Preliminary Evidence
Sample
Not reported

What This Study Found

Across 9 studies, combined psychosocial strategies (CBT, motivational interviewing, contingency management) with pharmacotherapy (nicotine replacement) showed promise. No compensatory use was observed.

Key Numbers

9 published studies; most 5-12 weeks; CBT, motivational interviewing, contingency management + nicotine replacement therapy

How They Did This

Narrative review with June 2024 literature search across multiple databases.

Why This Research Matters

No clinical guidelines exist for treating co-use, and only 9 studies exist. Simultaneous treatment does not cause compensatory use.

The Bigger Picture

With legalization expanding and vaping bridging tobacco and cannabis, co-use treatment research is urgent.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Only 9 studies, mostly feasibility-focused. Most in adults. Narrative review.

Questions This Raises

  • ?Would digital interventions be more scalable?
  • ?Are there unique pharmacotherapy needs for co-users?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
Only 9 published studies exist on treating tobacco-cannabis co-use
Evidence Grade:
Narrative review of very sparse literature.
Study Age:
Published in 2024.
Original Title:
Urgent need for treatment addressing co-use of tobacco and cannabis: An updated review and considerations for future interventions.
Published In:
Addictive behaviors, 158, 108118 (2024)
Database ID:
RTHC-05593

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / ObservationalSnapshot without intervening
This study
Case Report / Animal Study

Summarizes existing research without a strict systematic method.

What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you treat both at the same time?

Yes, with no compensatory increases in either substance.

What treatments work?

Combined behavioral therapy with nicotine replacement, but evidence is limited.

Read More on RethinkTHC

Cite This Study

RTHC-05593·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05593

APA

Nguyen, Nhung; Bold, Krysten W; McClure, Erin A. (2024). Urgent need for treatment addressing co-use of tobacco and cannabis: An updated review and considerations for future interventions.. Addictive behaviors, 158, 108118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108118

MLA

Nguyen, Nhung, et al. "Urgent need for treatment addressing co-use of tobacco and cannabis: An updated review and considerations for future interventions.." Addictive behaviors, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108118

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "Urgent need for treatment addressing co-use of tobacco and c..." RTHC-05593. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/nguyen-2024-urgent-need-for-treatment

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.