Therapy Targeting Emotional Reactions Reduced Distress in Young Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder
A pilot trial of 52 young adults with cannabis use disorder found that Affect Management Treatment outperformed standard CBT in reducing negative emotions and emotional reactivity, with both groups showing reductions in cannabis use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Affect Management Treatment (AMT) was more effective than standard CBT at reducing negative affect and maladaptive reactivity to negative emotions through post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. Both treatments reduced cannabis use and cannabis-related problems, with no statistically significant between-group differences on cannabis outcomes.
Key Numbers
52 participants aged 18-25; 12 sessions per treatment arm; AMT outperformed CBT on emotional measures; both groups reduced cannabis use; assessed through 6-month follow-up
How They Did This
Pilot randomized clinical trial with 52 participants aged 18-25 with cannabis use disorder. Randomized to 12 sessions of either AMT (targeting emotional regulation) or standard CBT. Assessed at baseline, during treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up on negative affect, distress intolerance, cannabis use, and cannabis-related problems.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use disorder is often intertwined with anxiety and depression, especially in young adults. Treatments that address the emotional drivers of use, not just the use itself, could lead to more lasting recovery.
The Bigger Picture
Most substance use treatments focus on the substance itself. This study suggests targeting the underlying emotional patterns that drive use may be at least as effective for cannabis outcomes and better for emotional well-being.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Pilot study with only 52 participants limits statistical power to detect between-group differences in cannabis outcomes. No placebo or no-treatment control group. Cannot determine whether emotional improvements lead to better long-term cannabis outcomes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would AMT show superior cannabis outcomes in a larger trial?
- ?Does reducing emotional reactivity prevent relapse over longer follow-up periods?
- ?Could AMT be combined with other approaches for better results?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 52 participants, 12 sessions each
- Evidence Grade:
- Randomized controlled pilot trial with active comparison group, but small sample limits definitive conclusions
- Study Age:
- 2022 study
- Original Title:
- Targeting maladaptive reactivity to negative affect in emerging adults with cannabis use disorder: A preliminary test and proof of concept.
- Published In:
- Behaviour research and therapy, 150, 104032 (2022)
- Authors:
- Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate, Glasner, Suzette, Tanner, Alexandra, Ghahremani, Dara G, London, Edythe D
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04308
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Affect Management Treatment?
AMT is a 12-session therapy that targets maladaptive reactions to negative emotions, such as distress intolerance, rather than focusing solely on substance use behaviors. It teaches healthier ways to respond to difficult feelings.
Did the emotion-focused therapy reduce cannabis use more than standard therapy?
Both treatments reduced cannabis use similarly. The emotion-focused therapy was significantly better at reducing negative emotions and emotional reactivity, which may contribute to longer-term recovery.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04308APA
Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate; Glasner, Suzette; Tanner, Alexandra; Ghahremani, Dara G; London, Edythe D. (2022). Targeting maladaptive reactivity to negative affect in emerging adults with cannabis use disorder: A preliminary test and proof of concept.. Behaviour research and therapy, 150, 104032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2022.104032
MLA
Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate, et al. "Targeting maladaptive reactivity to negative affect in emerging adults with cannabis use disorder: A preliminary test and proof of concept.." Behaviour research and therapy, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2022.104032
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Targeting maladaptive reactivity to negative affect in emerg..." RTHC-04308. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wolitzky-taylor-2022-targeting-maladaptive-reactivity-to
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.