Contingency Management Helped People with Mental Health Disorders Reduce Cannabis Use
A systematic review of 6 studies found that contingency management, which provides rewards for abstinence, was effective at reducing cannabis use in people with co-occurring psychotic disorders or major depression.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Contingency management produced cannabis use reductions and periods of abstinence in individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders or major depressive disorder. The approach specifically reinforced target behaviors like confirmed abstinence from cannabis.
Key Numbers
6 studies met inclusion criteria. Diagnoses included psychotic-spectrum and major depressive disorders. CM was efficacious for cannabis use reduction and abstinence in these populations.
How They Did This
Systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE through November 2022. Identified 6 studies examining contingency management effects on cannabis use, clinical outcomes, cognitive function, and psychosocial functioning in patients with co-occurring CUD and mental health disorders.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use disorder in people with mental illness is associated with worse symptoms, poorer treatment response, and reduced functioning. Despite this, few treatments have shown efficacy for this specific population. Contingency management may fill this gap.
The Bigger Picture
Contingency management has strong evidence for other substance use disorders but has been less studied for cannabis, especially in dual-diagnosis populations. These findings suggest it deserves broader implementation and further research.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only 6 studies met criteria, reflecting limited research in this area. Studies were small and varied in design. Long-term follow-up data were lacking. Other psychiatric populations (anxiety disorders, PTSD) were not represented.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would CM be effective for cannabis use in people with anxiety disorders or PTSD?
- ?What reward schedules work best for cannabis abstinence?
- ?Can CM be combined with other interventions for additive effects in dual-diagnosis patients?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CM produced cannabis reduction and abstinence in psychosis and depression patients
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: systematic review methodology, but only 6 small studies were available.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Contingency Management for Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder in Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review.
- Published In:
- Brain sciences, 13(1) (2022)
- Authors:
- Rodas, Justyne D(3), Sorkhou, Maryam(8), George, Tony P(23)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04177
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is contingency management?
Contingency management provides tangible rewards (like vouchers or prizes) when patients achieve specific goals such as confirmed drug abstinence. It leverages positive reinforcement to motivate behavior change.
Does it work for people with both cannabis problems and mental illness?
Yes. This review found contingency management reduced cannabis use in people with psychotic disorders and major depression, populations where standard treatments often have limited success.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04177APA
Rodas, Justyne D; Sorkhou, Maryam; George, Tony P. (2022). Contingency Management for Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder in Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review.. Brain sciences, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13010036
MLA
Rodas, Justyne D, et al. "Contingency Management for Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder in Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review.." Brain sciences, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13010036
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Contingency Management for Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorde..." RTHC-04177. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/rodas-2022-contingency-management-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.