Monitored Cannabis Abstinence Was Achievable for Many Schizophrenia Patients
Using contingency management, 42% of cannabis-dependent schizophrenia patients achieved 28 days of verified abstinence, comparable to the 55% rate in non-psychiatric controls.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
With contingency management incentives and twice-weekly urine monitoring, cannabis-dependent schizophrenia patients achieved abstinence rates statistically similar to controls (42.1% vs 55%, p=0.53). Both groups showed increased withdrawal symptoms during abstinence, confirming genuine cessation.
Key Numbers
42.1% (8/19) of patients achieved 28-day abstinence vs 55% (11/20) of controls (p=0.53). Quantitative THC-COOH metabolite levels below 20 ng/mL confirmed abstinence.
How They Did This
19 cannabis-dependent schizophrenia patients and 20 non-psychiatric controls underwent 28 days of monitored abstinence with contingency management. Urine was tested twice weekly using qualitative and quantitative methods (GC-MS). Subjective withdrawal assessments were also used.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use disorders are about 8 times more common in people with schizophrenia than in the general population. This study shows that structured abstinence programs can work for this population, and at rates not far from the general population.
The Bigger Picture
The high rate of cannabis use disorders in schizophrenia has long concerned clinicians. Demonstrating that structured abstinence is feasible opens doors for studying how stopping cannabis affects psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function in this population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample size (39 total). Contingency management provides financial incentives that may not reflect real-world motivation. 28 days may not indicate long-term abstinence capacity.
Questions This Raises
- ?What happens after the incentive structure is removed?
- ?Does achieving abstinence improve psychiatric symptoms?
- ?Would longer abstinence periods be achievable with continued support?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 42% of schizophrenia patients vs 55% of controls achieved 28-day cannabis abstinence (no significant difference).
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary - small pilot study without randomization or control condition for the intervention itself.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018.
- Original Title:
- A method to achieve extended cannabis abstinence in cannabis dependent patients with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric controls.
- Published In:
- Schizophrenia research, 194, 47-54 (2018)
- Authors:
- Rabin, Rachel A(10), Kozak, Karolina(2), Zakzanis, Konstantine K(2), Remington, Gary, Stefan, Cristiana, Budney, Alan J, George, Tony P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01802
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can people with schizophrenia quit cannabis?
This study found that with structured monitoring and incentives, 42% of cannabis-dependent schizophrenia patients achieved 28 days of verified abstinence - not significantly different from non-psychiatric controls.
What is contingency management for drug use?
Contingency management provides incentives (often financial) for meeting behavioral goals like abstinence, verified through urine testing. This study used it to help cannabis-dependent participants stay abstinent for 28 days.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01802APA
Rabin, Rachel A; Kozak, Karolina; Zakzanis, Konstantine K; Remington, Gary; Stefan, Cristiana; Budney, Alan J; George, Tony P. (2018). A method to achieve extended cannabis abstinence in cannabis dependent patients with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric controls.. Schizophrenia research, 194, 47-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2017.05.006
MLA
Rabin, Rachel A, et al. "A method to achieve extended cannabis abstinence in cannabis dependent patients with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric controls.." Schizophrenia research, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2017.05.006
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A method to achieve extended cannabis abstinence in cannabis..." RTHC-01802. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/rabin-2018-a-method-to-achieve
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.