Review of the literaturePsychotherapeutic interventions for cannabis use disorder. What do we know and what should we do?Les psychothérapies dans le trouble de l’usage du cannabis. Que sait-on et que devrait-on faire?
Section snippets
Abbreviations
- CM
Contingency management
- CM-abs
Abstinence-based contingency management
- CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- DC
Drug counseling
- DTC
Delayed treatment control
- EM
Entretien Motivationnel
- MET
Motivational enhancement therapy
- MM
Mindfulness-based meditation
- RP
Relapse prevention
- SS
Social support
- TCC
Thérapie Cognitive et Comportementale
Document selection
Two reviews from the Cochrane Library have covered non-pharmacological treatments of cannabis use disorder. One is currently active and replaced a previous review that was not updated. We chose these two reviews to examine the current state of knowledge and how the area covered was changed with time.
Comparison of objectives, methods and results
To compare the two reviews, we extracted raw data from both reviews in the corresponding section of the article regarding their titles, objectives, methods and results. These data were presented in
Comparison of titles and objectives
Both reviews screened non-pharmacological treatments in patients with cannabis abuse and/or dependence or use disorder. The 2006 review aimed at cannabis abuse and/or dependence whereas the 2016 review focused on cannabis use disorder. The 2006 review's title focused on psychotherapeutic interventions whereas the 2016 review focused on psychosocial interventions. That difference did not appear in the objective.
Type of studies and participants
Both reviews included randomized studies only. Regardless of gender and nationality
Summary of findings
Our objective was to compare the evidence from the two last Cochrane systematic reviews of the literature concerning psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorder and to report how craving was considered as a treatment mediator. We found that their methods were similar, although the second review covered a wider range of interventions by also including mindfulness-based meditation and drug counseling.
The first review reported 6 studies with a total of 1297 participants and the latest
Conclusion
When comparing the last two Cochrane reviews on psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorders, we found that five of the included studies were in common. Both reviews supported the efficacy of MET + CBT interventions with adjunction of CM-abs when possible. These findings were consistent with other reviews on cannabis abuse and dependence and other substance use disorders. However, very few mentions of cravings were made and very little is known on the effect of psychotherapies on this
Sources of support
This research was supported by internal funds from University of Bordeaux and Charles Perrens Hospital but did not receive any external grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Disclosure of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
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