Who Downloads an App to Take a 30-Day Break From Cannabis?
Users of a 30-day cannabis break app were predominantly young adults (83% aged 18-25) who used cannabis almost daily, with most seeking mental clarity rather than permanent abstinence.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 4,415 users of the Clear30 app, 83.3% were aged 18-25 and 86% used cannabis 6-7 days per week. Top motivations: mental clarity (46.7%), self-control (30.7%), reducing dependency (26.2%). 58.9% intended to reduce use after the break; 24.4% to quit entirely. 80% had previously attempted a break.
Key Numbers
4,415 app users. 83.3% aged 18-25. 86% used 6-7 days/week. 70.2% saw use as equally beneficial and harmful. 80% had tried a break before.
How They Did This
Secondary analysis of baseline data from 4,415 self-selected Clear30 app users who completed assessments before a 30-day cannabis break.
Why This Research Matters
Traditional treatment focuses on abstinence, but many users want to moderate. Digital tools offer low-barrier support that meets users where they are.
The Bigger Picture
The 'sober curious' movement has created space for temporary abstinence as wellness rather than clinical intervention, potentially reaching daily users who wouldn't seek formal treatment.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected users. No outcome data. Baseline data only. No control group.
Questions This Raises
- ?How many users successfully complete the 30-day break?
- ?Do app-supported breaks lead to sustained reduction?
- ?Could apps serve as stepping stones to formal treatment?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 46.7% took a break seeking mental clarity
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: descriptive analysis with no outcome data on break success.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Characterizing users of a mobile application for supporting a 30-day break from cannabis.
- Published In:
- Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 39(6), 571-576 (2025)
- Authors:
- Russell, Alex M, Acuff, Samuel F(3), Muench, Frederick J, Bergman, Brandon G
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07534
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people take breaks from cannabis?
Top reasons: mental clarity (46.7%), self-control (30.7%), and reducing dependency (26.2%). Most planned to reduce rather than quit entirely afterward.
Can apps help people reduce cannabis use?
This study characterizes who uses a cannabis break app. Whether the app actually helps remains to be studied.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07534APA
Russell, Alex M; Acuff, Samuel F; Muench, Frederick J; Bergman, Brandon G. (2025). Characterizing users of a mobile application for supporting a 30-day break from cannabis.. Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 39(6), 571-576. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0001075
MLA
Russell, Alex M, et al. "Characterizing users of a mobile application for supporting a 30-day break from cannabis.." Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0001075
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Characterizing users of a mobile application for supporting ..." RTHC-07534. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/russell-2025-characterizing-users-of-a
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.