A two-session motivational intervention adapted for young adults with psychosis (CCU-P) achieved 92% completion and high satisfaction, using a nonjudgmental approach to provide science-based information about cannabis-psychosis interactions.
Early psychosis intervention teams, psychiatric rehabilitation specialists, and young adults with psychosis who use cannabis.
What the researchers found
The Cannabis Check-Up for Psychosis (CCU-P) — a two-session motivational enhancement therapy intervention — demonstrated 92% completion rate (11 of 12 completed both sessions), high satisfaction ratings, and all participants said they would recommend it to others in Coordinated Specialty Care.
Why it matters
Cannabis use is common among young adults with psychosis and associated with worse outcomes, but few effective interventions exist for this population. Most approaches are too confrontational. This nonjudgmental intervention respects autonomy while providing information to support informed choices.
The numbers in context
12 participants in the pilot. 92% completed both sessions (11 of 12). All participants would recommend to others. Optimizations included psychosis-specific infographics on rehospitalization risk and harm reduction strategies.
How the study worked
One-arm pilot study with 12 young adults experiencing psychosis who were regular cannabis users enrolled in Coordinated Specialty Care. The intervention was optimized from the Teen Marijuana Check-Up using qualitative interview and focus group data, reviewed by a Stakeholder Advisory Board.
What this study cannot tell us
Very small pilot (n=12), no control group or cannabis use outcome data. Measured feasibility and acceptability, not efficacy. One-arm design cannot determine if the intervention actually changes behavior. Specific to Coordinated Specialty Care settings.
How to read the evidence
Small feasibility pilot with no control group or efficacy outcomes, but strong acceptability data supporting progression to a larger trial.
When this study was published
Published 2025.
The bigger picture
The cannabis-psychosis relationship is well-established, but telling young adults to 'just stop' doesn't work. Motivational approaches that present information neutrally and support self-directed decision-making may be more effective and better aligned with psychiatric rehabilitation principles.
Questions still open
- Will CCU-P actually reduce cannabis use or related harms in a larger trial? Would the intervention work outside Coordinated Specialty Care? Could the nonjudgmental approach be adapted for other substances in psychosis populations?
Common questions
How does this differ from telling someone with psychosis to stop using cannabis?
Does cannabis make psychosis worse?
Read the original research
Development of a motivational enhancement therapy cannabis-reduction intervention for young adults experiencing psychosis: A feasibility pilot study.
Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 48(4), 244-253
Citation
Walker, Denise D; Petros, Ryan; Bennett, Melanie; Tennison, Mackenzie; Monroe-DeVita, Maria. (2025). Development of a motivational enhancement therapy cannabis-reduction intervention for young adults experiencing psychosis: A feasibility pilot study.. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 48(4), 244-253. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000654
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