Computer-based motivational intervention reduced marijuana use via concerns about relationships

Q: Can a computer program help people reduce marijuana use?

This study found that a computer-based motivational interview in an emergency department reduced marijuana use at 6 months, particularly when it prompted people to think about how their use affected family and friends.

Q: What motivates people to reduce marijuana use?

Concerns about the impact on family and friends were the strongest predictor of reduced use, more so than other motivational domains like goals, strengths, or tools for change.

A computer-delivered brief intervention in an emergency department reduced marijuana use at 6 months, with the most effective component being items about concerns regarding family and friends, which predicted up to 5.5 fewer days of use per month.

Waller, Rebecca et al.·Journal of substance abuse treatment·2019·Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

Quitting (221)Harm Reduction (776)

Quick Facts

Study Type

Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence

Moderate Evidence

Sample

Not reported

What This Study Found

The "evoking-change" domain (concerns about use and benefits of change) was significantly associated with reduced marijuana use at 6 months (B=-2.91, p<0.01). Within this domain, items about concerns regarding family and friends predicted the largest reduction: up to 5.5 fewer days of marijuana use per month (B=-5.49, p<0.01).

Key Numbers

237 ED patients. 46% male. 54% African-American. Mean age 30.7. Evoking-change domain: B=-2.91, p<0.01. Family/friend concerns: up to 5.5 fewer days/month (B=-5.49, p<0.01). 6-month follow-up.

How They Did This

Secondary analysis of 237 emergency department patients reporting recent drug use who received a computer-based brief intervention with a virtual health counselor. Five motivational interviewing domains were examined as predictors of past 30-day marijuana use at 6-month follow-up.

Why This Research Matters

Computer-delivered interventions are scalable, low-cost, and can be delivered in busy settings like emergency departments. Knowing which components work allows for more efficient intervention design.

The Bigger Picture

The finding that relationship concerns drive behavior change more than other motivational factors aligns with broader addiction research showing social connections are powerful motivators for change.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Secondary analysis of a trial designed to test the overall intervention, not individual components. Self-reported marijuana use. Single urban ED. Component analysis may have limited statistical power.

Questions This Raises

?Would a brief intervention focused exclusively on relationship concerns be equally effective?
?Does this approach work for heavier users?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:: Up to 5.5 fewer use days from relationship concern items
Evidence Grade:: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial with 6-month follow-up, though not designed to test individual components.
Study Age:: 2019 study.
Original Title:: Exploring the components of an efficacious computer brief intervention for reducing marijuana use among adults in the emergency department.
Published In:: Journal of substance abuse treatment, 99, 67-72 (2019)
Authors:: Waller, Rebecca, Bonar, Erin E(8), Fernandez, Anne C, Walton, Maureen A, Chermack, Stephen T, Cunningham, Rebecca M, Blow, Frederic C
Database ID:: RTHC-02340

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review

Randomized Controlled TrialGold standard for testing treatments

This study

Cohort / Case-Control

Cross-Sectional / Observational

Case Report / Animal Study

Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.

What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a computer program help people reduce marijuana use?

This study found that a computer-based motivational interview in an emergency department reduced marijuana use at 6 months, particularly when it prompted people to think about how their use affected family and friends.

What motivates people to reduce marijuana use?

Concerns about the impact on family and friends were the strongest predictor of reduced use, more so than other motivational domains like goals, strengths, or tools for change.

Cite This Study

RTHC-02340·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02340

APA

Waller, Rebecca; Bonar, Erin E; Fernandez, Anne C; Walton, Maureen A; Chermack, Stephen T; Cunningham, Rebecca M; Blow, Frederic C. (2019). Exploring the components of an efficacious computer brief intervention for reducing marijuana use among adults in the emergency department.. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 99, 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.014

MLA

Waller, Rebecca, et al. "Exploring the components of an efficacious computer brief intervention for reducing marijuana use among adults in the emergency department.." Journal of substance abuse treatment, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.014

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "Exploring the components of an efficacious computer brief in..." RTHC-02340. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/waller-2019-exploring-the-components-of

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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.

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