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Brunette MF, Roth RM, Trask C, Khokhar JY, Ford JC, Park SH, Hickey SM, Zeffiro T, Xie H. Randomized Laboratory Study of Single-Dose Cannabis, Dronabinol, and Placebo in Patients With Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use Disorder. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae097. [PMID: 38900958 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Up to 43% of people with schizophrenia have a lifetime cannabis use disorder (CUD). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to exacerbate psychosis in a dose-dependent manner, but little research has assessed its effects on schizophrenia and co-occurring CUD (SCZ-CUD). In this double-dummy, placebo-controlled trial (total n = 130), we hypothesized that a modest dose of THC would worsen cognitive function but not psychosis. STUDY DESIGN Effects of single-dose oral THC (15 mg dronabinol) or smoked 3.5% THC cigarettes vs placebo in SCZ-CUD or CUD-only on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (only for SCZ-CUD), cognition, and drug experiences assessed several hours after drug administration. SCZ-only and healthy control participants were also assessed. STUDY RESULTS Drug liking was higher in THC groups vs placebo. Neither smoked THC nor oral dronabinol predicted positive or negative symptom subscale scores 2 and 5 h, respectively, after drug exposure in SCZ-CUD participants. The oral dronabinol SCZ-CUD group, but not smoked THC SCZ-CUD group, performed worse than placebo on verbal learning (B = -9.89; 95% CI: -16.06, -3.18; P = .004) and attention (B = -0.61; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.23; P = .002). Every 10-point increment in serum THC + THCC ng/ml was associated with increased negative symptoms (0.40 points; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.65; P = .001; subscale ranges 7-49) and trends were observed for worse positive symptoms and performance in verbal learning, delayed recall, and working memory. CONCLUSIONS In people with SCZ-CUD, a modest single dose of oral THC was associated with worse cognitive functioning without symptom exacerbation several hours after administration, and a THC dose-response effect was seen for negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary F Brunette
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Dartmouth-Health, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Robert M Roth
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Dartmouth-Health, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Christi Trask
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jibran Y Khokhar
- University of Western Ontario Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - James C Ford
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Dartmouth-Health, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Soo Hwan Park
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Sara M Hickey
- Dartmouth-Health, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Thomas Zeffiro
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Haiyi Xie
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Stewart SH, Khoury JMB, Watt MC, Collins P, DeGrace S, Romero-Sanchiz P. Effects of sexual assault vs. other traumatic experiences on emotional and cannabis use outcomes in regular cannabis users with trauma histories: moderation by gender? Front Psychol 2024; 15:1386264. [PMID: 38882518 PMCID: PMC11178137 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1386264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction While sexual assault may have particularly adverse emotional effects compared with other forms of trauma, it remains unclear which emotional outcome dimensions are impacted, whether cannabis outcomes are similarly impacted, and whether gender differences exist in sexual assault's links with these outcomes. Methods N = 100 cannabis users with trauma histories (M age = 33.1) completed standardized measures of demographics, trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and cannabis outcomes (frequency, medicinal prescription, motives, and craving). Results Sexual assault was experienced more often by women (83.9%) than men (31.8%). A series of 2 × 2 analyses of variance [gender: women (n = 56) vs. men (n = 44) × trauma type: sexual assault (n = 61) vs. other (n = 39)] and logistic regression revealed that sexual assault survivors scored higher than other trauma survivors on re-experiencing and hyperarousal PTS symptoms (DSM-5 Clusters B and E), cognitive depressive symptoms, hopelessness, cannabis use frequency, medicinal cannabis prescription, cannabis use to cope with psychological symptoms, and compulsivity craving; and lower on social and enhancement cannabis use motives. In terms of gender main effects, women scored higher than men on cannabis use to cope with negative emotions. In terms of interactions for PTS Cluster D symptoms (negative alterations in mood/cognitions), among men only, sexual assault survivors scored higher than other trauma survivors; and for cannabis enhancement motives and purposefulness cannabis craving, among sexual assault survivors only, women scored higher than men. Discussion Across many different trauma, women survivors' use of cannabis to cope with negative affect should be a specific therapeutic focus. Moreover, we identified specific emotional and cannabis use outcomes that should be of specific clinical concern among sexual assault survivors regardless of gender. Finally, in terms of gender differences of clinical interest among sexual assault survivors, while PTS Cluster D symptoms should be specific treatment targets in men, cannabis enhancement motives and purposefulness craving should be treatment targets in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry H Stewart
- Mood, Anxiety, and Addiction Comorbidity Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Margo C Watt
- Department of Psychology, Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada
| | - Pamela Collins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sarah DeGrace
- Mood, Anxiety, and Addiction Comorbidity Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Chen MY, Kramer EB, Gibson LP, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Investigating the Relationship Between Cannabis Expectancies and Anxiety, Depression, and Pain Responses After Acute Flower and Edible Cannabis Use. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38608236 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Cannabis has been touted for a host of pharmacological and therapeutic effects and users commonly report reduced symptoms of physical and mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. While there is existing empirical evidence supporting these effects of cannabis use, little is known about the extent to which these effects result from pharmacological versus expectancy factors. We evaluated the associations between participants' cannabis expectancies and their acute self-reported reactions after using legal market forms of cannabis with varying levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in three domains: anxiety, depression, and pain. Methods: Fifty-five flower and 101 edible cannabis users were randomly assigned and asked to purchase at a local dispensary one of three products containing varying levels of CBD and THC. Participants completed a baseline assessment where they reported expectancies about general health effects of cannabis use and an experimental mobile laboratory assessment where they administered their assigned products. Edible users also reported their domain-specific expectancies about cannabis use in improving anxiety, depression, and pain. Following administration, participants completed acute indicators of anxiety, depression, and pain operationalized through subjective acute tension, elation, and a single-item measure of pain. Results: Among flower users, more positive expectancies for cannabis to improve general health were correlated with greater reductions in tension at acute post-use. This finding was replicated among edible users. Unlike flower users, more positive expectancies for cannabis to improve general health were also correlated with greater increases in elation and greater reductions in pain among edible users. More positive expectancies for cannabis to improve depression and pain were also correlated with greater increases in elation and greater reductions in pain, respectively, among edible users. Conclusions: Cannabis users' expectancies significantly impacted some of the acute subjective effects of legal market cannabis products. Among both flower and edible users, consistent, significant expectancy effects were found. Results were consistent with prior findings and demonstrate the need to measure and control pre-existing expectancies in future research that involves cannabis administration. Clinical trial registration number: NCT03522103.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margy Y Chen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Emily B Kramer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Laurel P Gibson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - L Cinnamon Bidwell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Kent E Hutchison
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Angela D Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Gibson LP, Giordano GR, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Acute Effects of Ad Libitum Use of Commercially Available Cannabis Products on the Subjective Experience of Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover Study. Sports Med 2024; 54:1051-1066. [PMID: 38147185 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01980-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to examine the acute effects of legal-market cannabis on regular cannabis users' subjective responses to exercise in a controlled laboratory environment. BACKGROUND Given the stereotype that cannabis is associated with extreme sedentary behavior, there are concerns that cannabis legalization may exacerbate the US physical inactivity epidemic. However, despite these concerns, recent years have seen considerable public interest in the use of cannabis concurrently with exercise (e.g., running). METHODS The present study compared participants' experiences of exercise without cannabis to their experiences of exercise after acute ad libitum use of one of two commercially available cannabis flower products: a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-dominant or a cannabidiol-dominant product. Participants (N = 42) were regular cannabis users between the ages of 21 and 39 years (mean = 30.81 years, standard deviation = 4.72 years). RESULTS Although participants reported a more positive affect (p < 0.001), enjoyment (p < 0.001), and runner's high symptoms (p < 0.001) during their cannabis (vs non-cannabis) exercise appointment, they also reported more exertion (p = 0.04). Pain levels were very low and did not differ between appointments (p = 0.45). Effects appeared to depend, in part, on cannabinoid content; there was a larger difference in enjoyment (p = 0.02), and a smaller difference in exertion (p = 0.02), between the cannabis and non-cannabis exercise appointments among participants in the cannabidiol (vs Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) condition. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the acute effects of commercially available cannabis on subjective responses to exercise in a laboratory environment. Our findings suggest that, among regular cannabis users who use cannabis in combination with exercise, cannabis use prior to exercise may lead to increases in both positive and negative aspects of the subjective exercise experience. Research using diverse samples, exercise modalities, and methodologies (e.g., placebo-controlled trials) is needed to establish the generalizability of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel P Gibson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Gregory R Giordano
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - L Cinnamon Bidwell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Kent E Hutchison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela D Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Davis CN, Gex KS, Squeglia LM, Trull TJ, McCarthy DM, Baker NL, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL, Tomko RL. Development and Initial Validation of a Momentary Cannabis Craving Scale Within a Homogeneous Sample of U.S. Emerging Adults. Assessment 2024:10731911241237055. [PMID: 38515003 DOI: 10.1177/10731911241237055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Given the popularity and ease of single-item craving assessments, we developed a multi-item measure and compared it to common single-item assessments in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) context. Two weeks of EMA data were collected from 48 emerging adults (56.25% female, 85.42% White) who frequently used cannabis. Eight craving items were administered, and multilevel factor analyses were used to identify the best fitting model. The resulting scale's factors represented purposefulness/general desire and emotionality/negative affect craving. Convergent validity was examined using measures of craving, cannabis use disorder symptoms, frequency of use, cannabis cue reactivity, cannabis use, negative affect, and impulsivity. The scale factors were associated with cue-reactivity craving, negative affect, impulsivity, and subfactors of existing craving measures. For researchers interested in using a single item to capture craving, one item performed particularly well. However, the new scale may provide a more nuanced assessment of mechanisms underlying craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christal N Davis
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Kathryn S Gex
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kevin M Gray
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
| | - Aimee L McRae-Clark
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
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Chesney E, Lawn W, McGuire P. Assessing Cannabis Use in People with Psychosis. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:49-58. [PMID: 37971872 PMCID: PMC10874830 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabis use is common in people with psychotic disorders and is associated with the exacerbation of symptoms, poor treatment adherence, and an increased risk of relapse. Accurate assessment of cannabis use is thus critical to the clinical management of psychosis. Discussion: Cannabis use is usually assessed with self-report questionnaires that were originally developed for healthy individuals or people with a cannabis use disorder. Compared to these groups, the pattern of cannabis use and the associated harms in patients with psychosis are quite different. Moreover, in people with psychosis, the accuracy of self-reported use may be impaired by psychotic symptoms, cognitive deficits, and a desire to conceal use when clinicians have advised against it. Although urinary screening for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is sometimes used in the assessment of acute psychotic episodes, it is not used in routinely. Cannabis use could be assessed by measuring the concentration of cannabinoids in urine and blood, but this is rarely done in either clinical settings or research. Conclusion: Using quantitative biological measures could provide a more accurate guide to the effects of use on the disorder than asking patients or using questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Chesney
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Will Lawn
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Miele C, Cabé J, Cabé N, Bertsch I, Brousse G, Pereira B, Moulin V, Barrault S. Measuring craving: A systematic review and mapping of assessment instruments. What about sexual craving? Addiction 2023; 118:2277-2314. [PMID: 37493019 DOI: 10.1111/add.16287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Craving is central in the definition of addictive disorders because of its diagnostic and prognostic value. Its measurement is essential in clinical practice. Previous reviews provided a better overview of existing instruments; however, they do not consider emerging substances and behaviors such as sexual addictions. Our objectives were threefold: (1) to provide a systematic review of craving assessment instruments and their psychometric characteristics within a transdiagnostic approach, (2) to highlight and map their conceptual relationships and (3) to identify potential sexual craving assessment instruments. METHODS The review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo and Cochrane/Central databases were searched for publications that met the following inclusion criterion: validation studies of craving assessment instruments, regardless of target substance or behavior. The original search identified 4561 references and included 147 articles. Each selected study was a peer-reviewed publication. RESULTS This review provides a synthesis of the psychometric properties of 36 original instruments and identified 93 variations of these instruments (e.g. translations). We were able to highlight five transdiagnostic families of instruments, each corresponding to a conceptual model. Only one instrument for assessing craving in the domain of compulsive sexual behavior, focused on pornography use, has been identified: the Pornography Craving Questionnaire. CONCLUSION This review mapped all craving assessment instruments from a transdiagnostic perspective, finding 36 original instruments and 93 variations. The evolution of instruments to measure craving mirrors the evolution of the concept of craving which has progressively integrated cognitive, conditioning and sensory dimensions, and attests to the importance of the context of assessment. Development of an instrument to measure 'sexual craving' is needed and could be based on the data from our review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Miele
- Laboratory QualiPsy, EE1901, Psychology Department, University of Tours, Tours, France
- Service d'Addictologie et de pathologies duelles, Pôle de psychiatrie, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex, France
- Laboratoire Inter-universitaire de Psychologie Personnalité, Cognition, Changement Social (LIP/PC2S) Université de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Cabé
- Service d'Addictologie et de pathologies duelles, Pôle de psychiatrie, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CNRS, Institut Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Nicolas Cabé
- Service d'Addictologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, Caen, France
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, PhIND 'Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders', Institut Blood and Brain at Caen-Normandie, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Ingrid Bertsch
- Laboratory QualiPsy, EE1901, Psychology Department, University of Tours, Tours, France
- Unité de Consultation Psychiatrique Post-Pénale (UC3P), CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Georges Brousse
- Service d'Addictologie et de pathologies duelles, Pôle de psychiatrie, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CNRS, Institut Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno Pereira
- Direction de la Recherche Clinique et de l'Innovation, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Valérie Moulin
- Laboratoire Inter-universitaire de Psychologie Personnalité, Cognition, Changement Social (LIP/PC2S) Université de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Servane Barrault
- Laboratory QualiPsy, EE1901, Psychology Department, University of Tours, Tours, France
- Centre de Soins d'Accompagnement et de Prévention en Addictologie (CSAPA 37), CHRU of Tours, Tours, France
- Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes, University of Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
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Tomko RL, Wolf BJ, McClure EA, Carpenter MJ, Magruder KM, Squeglia LM, Gray KM. Who responds to a multi-component treatment for cannabis use disorder? Using multivariable and machine learning models to classify treatment responders and non-responders. Addiction 2023; 118:1965-1974. [PMID: 37132085 PMCID: PMC10524796 DOI: 10.1111/add.16226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) have limited efficacy and little is known about who responds to existing treatments. Accurately predicting who will respond to treatment can improve clinical decision-making by allowing clinicians to offer the most appropriate level and type of care. This study aimed to determine whether multivariable/machine learning models can be used to classify CUD treatment responders versus non-responders. METHODS This secondary analysis used data from a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network multi-site outpatient clinical trial in the United States. Adults with CUD (n = 302) received 12 weeks of contingency management, brief cessation counseling and were randomized to receive additionally either (1) N-Acetylcysteine or (2) placebo. Multivariable/machine learning models were used to classify treatment responders (i.e. two consecutive negative urine cannabinoid tests or a 50% reduction in days of use) versus non-responders using baseline demographic, medical, psychiatric and substance use information. RESULTS Prediction performance for various machine learning and regression prediction models yielded area under the curves (AUCs) >0.70 for four models (0.72-0.77), with support vector machine models having the highest overall accuracy (73%; 95% CI = 68-78%) and AUC (0.77; 95% CI = 0.72, 0.83). Fourteen variables were retained in at least three of four top models, including demographic (ethnicity, education), medical (diastolic/systolic blood pressure, overall health, neurological diagnosis), psychiatric (depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder, antisocial personality disorder) and substance use (tobacco smoker, baseline cannabinoid level, amphetamine use, age of experimentation with other substances, cannabis withdrawal intensity) characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Multivariable/machine learning models can improve on chance prediction of treatment response to outpatient cannabis use disorder treatment, although further improvements in prediction performance are likely necessary for decisions about clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Bethany J. Wolf
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Erin A. McClure
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Matthew J. Carpenter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Magruder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lindsay M. Squeglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kevin M. Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Shmulewitz D, Stohl M, Greenstein E, Roncone S, Walsh C, Aharonovich E, Wall MM, Hasin DS. Validity of the DSM-5 craving criterion for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and non-prescription use of prescription painkillers (opioids). Psychol Med 2023; 53:1955-1969. [PMID: 35506791 PMCID: PMC9096712 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the DSM-5 was adopted in 2013, the validity of the new substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis and craving criterion has not been investigated systematically across substances. METHODS Adults (N = 588) who engaged in binge drinking or illicit drug use and endorsed at least one DSM-5 SUD criterion were included. DSM-5 SUD criteria were assessed for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and opioids. Craving was considered positive if "wanted to use so badly that could not think of anything else" (severe craving) or "felt a very strong desire or urge to use" (moderate craving) was endorsed. Baseline information on substance-related variables and psychopathology was collected, and electronic daily assessment queried substance use for the following 90 days. For each substance, logistic regression estimated the association between craving and validators, i.e. variables expected to be related to craving/SUD, and whether association with the validators differed for DSM-5 SUD diagnosed with craving as a criterion v. without. RESULTS Across substances, craving was associated with most baseline validators (p values<0.05); neither moderate nor severe craving consistently showed greater associations. Baseline craving predicted subsequent use [odds ratios (OR): 4.2 (alcohol) - 234.3 (heroin); p's ⩽ 0.0001], with stronger associations for moderate than severe craving (p's < 0.05). Baseline DSM-5 SUD showed stronger associations with subsequent use when diagnosed with craving than without (p's < 0.05). CONCLUSION The DSM-5 craving criterion as operationalized in this study is valid. Including craving improves the validity of DSM-5 SUD diagnoses, and clinical relevance, since craving may cause impaired control over use and development and maintenance of SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Shmulewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - M Stohl
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E Greenstein
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - S Roncone
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - C Walsh
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E Aharonovich
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - MM Wall
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - DS Hasin
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Della Rocca F, Maremmani AGI, Bacciardi S, Pacini M, Lamanna F, Tripodi B, Miccoli M, Maremmani I. Characteristics of Stress Sensitivity in Heroin Use Disorder Patients during Their Opioid Agonist Treatment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4566. [PMID: 36901575 PMCID: PMC10002439 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, performed on a sample of Heroin Use Disorder (HUD) patients undergoing Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT), we attempted to explore the relationships between stress sensitivity and heroin addiction-related clinical aspects. HUD patients' stress sensitivity was evaluated with the Heroin/PTSD-Spectrum questionnaire (H/PSTD-S). The Drug Addiction History Questionnaire (DAH-Q), the Symptomatological Check List-90 (SCL-90), and The Behavioural Covariate of Heroin Craving inventory (CRAV-HERO) were all used, as were the Deltito Subjective Wellness Scale (D-SWS), a self-report scale evaluating subjective well-being; the Cocaine Problem Severity Index (CPSI), a questionnaire determining the extent of a cocaine problem; and the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MC-Q), an instrument assessing craving for cannabinoids. We checked correlations between stress sensitivity and the extent of HUD clinical features and compared patients with and without problematic stress sensitivity. H/PTSD-S was positively correlated with patients' income, altered mental status, legal problems, the lifetime different treatments index, the current treatment load index, and all SCL-90 indexes and factors. Regarding subjective well-being, stress sensitivity negatively correlated with the contrast best week (last five years) index. Patients with high-stress sensitivity were females with a low income. They exhibited a more severe mental status at treatment entry, greater difficulty in working adaptation, and legal problems during treatment. Additionally, these patients showed a higher level of psychopathology, more impairment in well-being, and more risky behaviours during treatment. Stress sensitivity, as H/PTSD-S, must be considered an outcome of HUD. HUD's addiction history and clinical features are significant risk factors for H/PTSD-S. Therefore, social and behavioural impairment in HUD patients could be considered the clinical expression of the H/PTSD spectrum. In summary, the long-term outcome of HUD is not represented by drug-taking behaviours. Rather, the inability to cope with the contingent environmental conditions is the key feature of such a disorder. H/PTSD-S, therefore, should be seen as a syndrome caused by an acquired inability (increased salience) concerning regular (daily) life events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Della Rocca
- Addiction Research Methods Institute, World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, 225 Varick Street, Suite 402, New York, NY 10014, USA
| | - Angelo G. I. Maremmani
- Addiction Research Methods Institute, World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, 225 Varick Street, Suite 402, New York, NY 10014, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictions, Section of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Local Health Unit, Tuscany NHS, Versilia Zone, Via Aurelia 335, 55041 Viareggio, Italy
| | - Silvia Bacciardi
- Addiction Research Methods Institute, World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, 225 Varick Street, Suite 402, New York, NY 10014, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictions, Section of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Local Health Unit, Tuscany NHS, Versilia Zone, Via Aurelia 335, 55041 Viareggio, Italy
| | - Matteo Pacini
- V.P. Dole Research Group, G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Via di Pratale 3, 56121 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Lamanna
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictions, Section of Addictions, North-Western Tuscany Local Health Unit, Tuscany NHS, Pisa Zone, Via delle Torri 160, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Beniamino Tripodi
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, Division of Psychiatry, ASST Crema, Via Largo Dossena 2, 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Mario Miccoli
- Addiction Research Methods Institute, World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, 225 Varick Street, Suite 402, New York, NY 10014, USA
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Icro Maremmani
- Addiction Research Methods Institute, World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, 225 Varick Street, Suite 402, New York, NY 10014, USA
- V.P. Dole Research Group, G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Via di Pratale 3, 56121 Pisa, Italy
- Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences (UniCamillus), Via di Sant’Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy
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11
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Kulkarni KR, Schafer M, Berner LA, Fiore VG, Heflin M, Hutchison K, Calhoun V, Filbey F, Pandey G, Schiller D, Gu X. An Interpretable and Predictive Connectivity-Based Neural Signature for Chronic Cannabis Use. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:320-330. [PMID: 35659965 PMCID: PMC9708942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is one of the most widely used substances in the world, with usage trending upward in recent years. However, although the psychiatric burden associated with maladaptive cannabis use has been well established, reliable and interpretable biomarkers associated with chronic use remain elusive. In this study, we combine large-scale functional magnetic resonance imaging with machine learning and network analysis and develop an interpretable decoding model that offers both accurate prediction and novel insights into chronic cannabis use. METHODS Chronic cannabis users (n = 166) and nonusing healthy control subjects (n = 124) completed a cue-elicited craving task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Linear machine learning methods were used to classify individuals into chronic users and nonusers based on whole-brain functional connectivity. Network analysis was used to identify the most predictive regions and communities. RESULTS We obtained high (∼80% out-of-sample) accuracy across 4 different classification models, demonstrating that task-evoked connectivity can successfully differentiate chronic cannabis users from nonusers. We also identified key predictive regions implicating motor, sensory, attention, and craving-related areas, as well as a core set of brain networks that contributed to successful classification. The most predictive networks also strongly correlated with cannabis craving within the chronic user group. CONCLUSIONS This novel approach produced a neural signature of chronic cannabis use that is both accurate in terms of out-of-sample prediction and interpretable in terms of predictive networks and their relation to cannabis craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaustubh R Kulkarni
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Matthew Schafer
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Laura A Berner
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Vincenzo G Fiore
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Matt Heflin
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kent Hutchison
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Vince Calhoun
- Tri-institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Francesca Filbey
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Gaurav Pandey
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Daniela Schiller
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Xiaosi Gu
- Center for Computational Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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12
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Kroon E, Kuhns L, Dunkerbeck A, Cousijn J. The who and how of attentional bias in cannabis users: associations with use severity, craving and interference control. Addiction 2023; 118:307-316. [PMID: 36189776 PMCID: PMC10091751 DOI: 10.1111/add.16059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Cognitive and motivational processes are thought to underlie cannabis use disorder (CUD), but research assessing how cognitive processes [e.g. interference control (IC)] interact with implicit [e.g. attentional bias (AB)] and explicit motivation (i.e. craving) is lacking. We assessed the presence of AB in cannabis users with varying use severity and tested models of moderation, mediation and moderated mediation to assess how AB, craving and IC interact in their association with measures of cannabis use. DESIGN A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Eight studies performed by our laboratory in the Netherlands including never-sporadic, occasional (≤ 1/month) and regular cannabis users (≥ 2/week), and individuals in treatment for CUD were combined (n = 560; 71% male). MEASUREMENTS Studies included a classic Stroop task (IC), a cannabis Stroop task (AB) and measures of session-induced and average session craving. Both heaviness of cannabis use (grams/week) and severity of use related problems were included. FINDINGS Only those in treatment for CUD showed an AB to cannabis (P = 0.019) and group differences were only observed when comparing CUD with never-sporadic users (P = 0.007). In occasional and regular users, IC was negatively associated with heaviness (β = 0.015, P < 0.001), but not severity of use. Average session craving (exploratory), but not session-induced craving (confirmatory), mediated this association between AB and heaviness (β = 0.050, P = 0.011) as well as severity of use (β = 0.083, P = 0.009); higher AB was associated with heavier use and more severe problems through increased craving. CONCLUSIONS Attentional bias only appears to be present in cannabis users with the most severe problems and craving appears to mediate the association between attentional bias and both heaviness and severity of use in occasional and regular users. The association of interference control with heaviness but not severity of use may point to subacute intoxication effects of cannabis use on interference control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Kroon
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam
| | - Lauren Kuhns
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam
| | | | - Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam.,Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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13
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Bidzinski KK, Lowe DJE, Sanches M, Sorkhou M, Boileau I, Kiang M, Blumberger DM, Remington G, Ma C, Castle DJ, Rabin RA, George TP. Investigating repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cannabis use and cognition in people with schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA 2022; 8:2. [PMID: 35210458 PMCID: PMC8873399 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCannabis use disorder (CUD) occurs at high rates in schizophrenia, which negatively impacts its clinical prognosis. These patients have greater difficulty quitting cannabis which may reflect putative deficits in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a potential target for treatment development. We examined the effects of active versus sham high-frequency (20-Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cannabis use in outpatients with schizophrenia and CUD. Secondary outcomes included cannabis craving/withdrawal, psychiatric symptoms, cognition and tobacco use. Twenty-four outpatients with schizophrenia and CUD were enrolled in a preliminary double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial. Nineteen participants were randomized to receive active (n = 9) or sham (n = 10) rTMS (20-Hz) applied bilaterally to the DLPFC 5x/week for 4 weeks. Cannabis use was monitored twice weekly. A cognitive battery was administered pre- and post-treatment. rTMS was safe and well-tolerated with high treatment retention (~90%). Contrast estimates suggested greater reduction in self-reported cannabis use (measured in grams/day) in the active versus sham group (Estimate = 0.33, p = 0.21; Cohen’s d = 0.72), suggesting a clinically relevant effect of rTMS. A trend toward greater reduction in craving (Estimate = 3.92, p = 0.06), and significant reductions in PANSS positive (Estimate = 2.42, p = 0.02) and total (Estimate = 5.03, p = 0.02) symptom scores were found in the active versus sham group. Active rTMS also improved attention (Estimate = 6.58, p < 0.05), and suppressed increased tobacco use that was associated with cannabis reductions (Treatment x Time: p = 0.01). Our preliminary findings suggest that rTMS to the DLPFC is safe and potentially efficacious for treating CUD in schizophrenia.
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14
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Roydhouse J, Tomko RL, Gray KM, Gutman R. Assessment of patient perception of treatment assignment and patient-reported outcomes in a cannabis use disorder trial. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022; 48:651-661. [PMID: 35904459 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2097918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background: Blinding is a cornerstone of trial methodology. Prior work indicates participant-perceived assignment may be associated with trial outcomes. Less is known about how perception changes over time and if this is associated with outcomes.Objectives: To evaluate if participants change their perception of assignment over time in a blinded trial, and if perception is associated with different types of patient-reported outcomes (PROs).Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from the Achieving Cannabis Cessation-Evaluating N-Acetylcysteine Treatment (ACCENT) trial, which evaluated the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) relative to placebo for treating cannabis use disorder. Participants (N = 234; 164 men, 70 women) were asked at weeks 5 and 9 what treatment (placebo or NAC) they believed they were receiving. We included PROs proximal (cannabis-associated problems, craving) and distal (anxiety) to the intervention. Analysis was by multiple linear regression and mixed models.Results: Approximately 20% of participants in both arms changed their perception over time. Relative to participants who consistently perceived assignment to placebo, participants who consistently perceived assignment to NAC did not always have comparatively better average scores (coefficient -3.3 [95% CI: -7.0, 0.5]). In some analyses, participants who switched to guessing NAC from placebo had comparatively better average scores (coefficient -3.0 [95% CI: -9.3, 3.4]), but this was inconsistent across outcomes or strata defined by actual assignment or guess accuracy.Conclusion: The study suggests that the proportion of individuals who switch their perception over time is modest. However, this group may influence the estimates of intervention effects on some PROs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Roydhouse
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.,Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rachel L Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kevin M Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Roee Gutman
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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15
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Fink DS, Shmulewitz D, Mannes ZL, Stohl M, Livne O, Wall M, Hasin DS. Construct validity of DSM-5 cannabis use disorder diagnosis and severity levels in adults with problematic substance use. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:387-394. [PMID: 36182768 PMCID: PMC9590423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The DSM-5 definition of cannabis use disorder (CUD) differs from DSM-IV by combining abuse and dependence criteria (without the legal criterion) and including withdrawal and craving criteria. Information on construct validity of the DSM-5 CUD diagnosis and severity levels is lacking. This study examines the associations between DSM-5 CUD and severity classification and a set of concurrent validators. Adults with problematic substance use were recruited from two settings: a research setting in an urban medical center and a suburban inpatient addiction treatment program. Participants who reported past-year cannabis use (n = 392) were included in this study and completed a semi-structured, clinician-administered diagnostic interview. Regression models estimated the associations between binary DSM-5 CUD and severity levels with a set of validators, including cannabis use variables, psychopathology, and functional impairment. DSM-5 CUD and all severity levels were associated with cannabis use validators, including number of days used, self-reporting that cannabis use was a major problem, and greater cannabis craving. DSM-5 CUD and severe CUD were associated with other psychiatric disorders and social impairment. Findings add information about the validity of DSM-5 CUD diagnosis and severity levels, with severe CUD receiving the strongest support from its association with validators across all domains, as distinct from the mild and moderate CUD measures that were associated with cannabis-specific validators alone. Severe CUD is likely to require more intensive treatment to bolster physical, psychiatric, and social functioning, whereas the mild and moderate severity thresholds provide useful information for identifying less severe disorders for prevention and brief intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Fink
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dvora Shmulewitz
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zachary L Mannes
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Malka Stohl
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ofir Livne
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melanie Wall
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah S Hasin
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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16
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Ekhtiari H, Zare-Bidoky M, Sangchooli A, Janes AC, Kaufman MJ, Oliver JA, Prisciandaro JJ, Wüstenberg T, Anton RF, Bach P, Baldacchino A, Beck A, Bjork JM, Brewer J, Childress AR, Claus ED, Courtney KE, Ebrahimi M, Filbey FM, Ghahremani DG, Azbari PG, Goldstein RZ, Goudriaan AE, Grodin EN, Hamilton JP, Hanlon CA, Hassani-Abharian P, Heinz A, Joseph JE, Kiefer F, Zonoozi AK, Kober H, Kuplicki R, Li Q, London ED, McClernon J, Noori HR, Owens MM, Paulus MP, Perini I, Potenza M, Potvin S, Ray L, Schacht JP, Seo D, Sinha R, Smolka MN, Spanagel R, Steele VR, Stein EA, Steins-Loeber S, Tapert SF, Verdejo-Garcia A, Vollstädt-Klein S, Wetherill RR, Wilson SJ, Witkiewitz K, Yuan K, Zhang X, Zilverstand A. A methodological checklist for fMRI drug cue reactivity studies: development and expert consensus. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:567-595. [PMID: 35121856 PMCID: PMC9063851 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00649-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cue reactivity is one of the most frequently used paradigms in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of substance use disorders (SUDs). Although there have been promising results elucidating the neurocognitive mechanisms of SUDs and SUD treatments, the interpretability and reproducibility of these studies is limited by incomplete reporting of participants' characteristics, task design, craving assessment, scanning preparation and analysis decisions in fMRI drug cue reactivity (FDCR) experiments. This hampers clinical translation, not least because systematic review and meta-analysis of published work are difficult. This consensus paper and Delphi study aims to outline the important methodological aspects of FDCR research, present structured recommendations for more comprehensive methods reporting and review the FDCR literature to assess the reporting of items that are deemed important. Forty-five FDCR scientists from around the world participated in this study. First, an initial checklist of items deemed important in FDCR studies was developed by several members of the Enhanced NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analyses (ENIGMA) Addiction working group on the basis of a systematic review. Using a modified Delphi consensus method, all experts were asked to comment on, revise or add items to the initial checklist, and then to rate the importance of each item in subsequent rounds. The reporting status of the items in the final checklist was investigated in 108 recently published FDCR studies identified through a systematic review. By the final round, 38 items reached the consensus threshold and were classified under seven major categories: 'Participants' Characteristics', 'General fMRI Information', 'General Task Information', 'Cue Information', 'Craving Assessment Inside Scanner', 'Craving Assessment Outside Scanner' and 'Pre- and Post-Scanning Considerations'. The review of the 108 FDCR papers revealed significant gaps in the reporting of the items considered important by the experts. For instance, whereas items in the 'General fMRI Information' category were reported in 90.5% of the reviewed papers, items in the 'Pre- and Post-Scanning Considerations' category were reported by only 44.7% of reviewed FDCR studies. Considering the notable and sometimes unexpected gaps in the reporting of items deemed to be important by experts in any FDCR study, the protocols could benefit from the adoption of reporting standards. This checklist, a living document to be updated as the field and its methods advance, can help improve experimental design, reporting and the widespread understanding of the FDCR protocols. This checklist can also provide a sample for developing consensus statements for protocols in other areas of task-based fMRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Ekhtiari
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Mehran Zare-Bidoky
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Shahid-Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,These authors contributed equally: Mehran Zare-Bidoky, Arshiya Sangchooli
| | - Arshiya Sangchooli
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,These authors contributed equally: Mehran Zare-Bidoky, Arshiya Sangchooli
| | - Amy C. Janes
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Marc J. Kaufman
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Jason A. Oliver
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - James J. Prisciandaro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Torsten Wüstenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Raymond F. Anton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Patrick Bach
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alex Baldacchino
- Division of Population Studies and Behavioural Sciences, St Andrews University Medical School, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - Anne Beck
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Health and Medical University, Campus Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - James M. Bjork
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Judson Brewer
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Anna Rose Childress
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eric D. Claus
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kelly E. Courtney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mohsen Ebrahimi
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Francesca M. Filbey
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Dara G. Ghahremani
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peyman Ghobadi Azbari
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rita Z. Goldstein
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna E. Goudriaan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erica N. Grodin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - J. Paul Hamilton
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Colleen A. Hanlon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jane E. Joseph
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Arash Khojasteh Zonoozi
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hedy Kober
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Qiang Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Edythe D. London
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph McClernon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hamid R. Noori
- International Center for Primate Brain Research, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT)/Institute of Neuroscience (ION), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Max M. Owens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Irene Perini
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marc Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA.,Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Child Study Center and Wu Tsai Institute, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stéphane Potvin
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Lara Ray
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Dongju Seo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rajita Sinha
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael N. Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vaughn R. Steele
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elliot A. Stein
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabine Steins-Loeber
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Susan F. Tapert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Sabine Vollstädt-Klein
- Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Reagan R. Wetherill
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Katie Witkiewitz
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kai Yuan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaochu Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China.,Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Anna Zilverstand
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Romero-Sanchiz P, Mahu IT, Barrett SP, Salmon JP, Al-Hamdani M, Swansburg JE, Stewart SH. Craving and emotional responses to trauma and cannabis cues in trauma-exposed cannabis users: Influence of PTSD symptom severity. Addict Behav 2022; 125:107126. [PMID: 34655908 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Conditioned craving to trauma cues and avoidance learning have both been implicated in the high concurrence of trauma-related distress and substance misuse. Using a cue-exposure paradigm involving personalized trauma, cannabis, and neutral cues, we examined if conditioned craving and/or elevated negative affect to trauma cues are mechanisms linking PTSD and cannabis use disorder. Fifty-one trauma-exposed cannabis users were randomly presented the three cue types. Craving and emotional responses were evaluated after each cue using the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form (Heishman et al., 2001) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson et al., 1988). Relief cannabis craving (compulsivity and emotionality) was significantly higher after trauma than cannabis and neutral cues (p's < 0.001) and was also higher among those with more severe PTSD symptoms (p's < 0.05). The relationship between PTSD symptom severity and cannabis craving was stronger after trauma than cannabis cues for the compulsivity component of craving (p < .05). Relief craving was also higher after the cannabis cue than after the neutral cue (expectancy and purposefulness; p < .001). Negative affect was significantly higher: after trauma than cannabis and neutral cues (p's < 0.001); and among those with more severe PTSD symptoms (p < . 005). Positive affect was significantly lower after trauma than cannabis cues (p < .05). Trauma cue exposure might promote cannabis misuse through conditioned craving as well as the desire to relieve negative affect. Conditioned cannabis craving involving an uncontrollable compulsion to use cannabis in response to trauma reminders appears particularly likely among cannabis users with more severe PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Romero-Sanchiz
- University of Roehampton, School of Psychology, Whitelands College, SW15 4JD, Holybourne Ave, London, United Kingdom; Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO Box 15000, B3H 4J1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Ioan T Mahu
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO Box 15000, B3H 4J1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sean P Barrett
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO Box 15000, B3H 4J1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Joshua P Salmon
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO Box 15000, B3H 4J1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Mohammed Al-Hamdani
- Department of Psychology, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, B3H3C3, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jennifer E Swansburg
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO Box 15000, B3H 4J1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sherry H Stewart
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO Box 15000, B3H 4J1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Dalhousie University, Department of Psychiatry, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, 8th Floor, Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, B3H 2E2 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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18
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Psychotomimetic symptoms after a moderate dose of a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018): implications for psychosis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1251-1261. [PMID: 33501595 PMCID: PMC9110546 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05768-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the largest class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and are associated with an increased risk of overdosing and adverse events such as psychosis. JWH-018 is one of the earliest SCs and still widely available in large parts of the world. Controlled studies to assess the safety and behavioural profiles of SCs are extremely scarce. AIM The current study was designed to assess the psychotomimetic effects of a moderate dose of JWH-018. METHODS Twenty-four healthy participants (10 males, 14 females) entered a placebo-controlled, double blind, within-subjects trial and inhaled vapour of placebo or 75μg/kg bodyweight JWH-018. To ascertain a minimum level of intoxication, a booster dose of JWH-018 was administered on an as-needed basis. The average dose of JWH-018 administered was 5.52 mg. Subjective high, dissociative states (CADSS), psychedelic symptoms (Bowdle), mood (POMS) and cannabis reinforcement (SCRQ) were assessed within a 4.5-h time window after drug administration. RESULTS JWH-018 caused psychedelic effects, such as altered internal and external perception, and dissociative effects, such as amnesia, derealisation and depersonalisation and induced feelings of confusion. CONCLUSION Overall, these findings suggest that a moderate dose of JWH-018 induces pronounced psychotomimetic symptoms in healthy participants with no history of mental illness, which confirms that SCs pose a serious risk for public health.
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19
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Gibson LP, Karoly HC, Ellingson JM, Klawitter J, Sempio C, Squeri JE, Bryan AD, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE. Effects of cannabidiol in cannabis flower: Implications for harm reduction. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13092. [PMID: 34467598 PMCID: PMC9357513 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Using a federally compatible, naturalistic at-home administration procedure, the present study examined the acute effects of three cannabis flower chemovars with different tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cannabidiol (CBD) ratios, in order to test whether chemovars with a higher CBD content produce different effects. Participants were randomly assigned to ad libitum administration of one of three chemovars (THC-dominant: 24% THC, 1% CBD; THC+CBD: 9% THC, 10% CBD; CBD-dominant: 1% THC, 23% CBD); 159 regular cannabis users (male = 94, female = 65) were assessed in a mobile pharmacology lab before, immediately after, and 1 h after ad libitum administration of their assigned chemovar. Plasma cannabinoids as well as positive (e.g., high, elation) and negative (e.g., paranoia and anxiety) subjective effects were assessed at each time points. Participants who used the CBD-dominant and THC + CBD chemovars had significantly less THC and more CBD in plasma samples compared to participants who used the THC-dominant chemovar. Further, the THC + CBD chemovar was associated with similar levels of positive subjective effects, but significantly less paranoia and anxiety, as compared to the THC-dominant chemovar. This is one of the first studies to examine the differential effects of various THC to CBD ratios using chemovars that are widely available in state-regulated markets. Individuals using a THC + CBD chemovar had significantly lower plasma THC concentrations and reported less paranoia and anxiety while also reporting similar positive mood effects as compared to individuals using THC only, which is intriguing from a harm reduction perspective. Further research is needed to clarify the harm reduction potential of CBD in cannabis products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel P. Gibson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Hollis C. Karoly
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jarrod M. Ellingson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jost Klawitter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA,Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cristina Sempio
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Julia E. Squeri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Angela D. Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA,Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - L. Cinnamon Bidwell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA,Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Kent E. Hutchison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA,Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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20
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Feliu A, Fernández E, Castellano Y, Enríquez M, Saura J, Cabezas C, Colom J, Suelves JM, Pla M, Parejo M, Mondon S, Barrio P, Andreu M, Raich A, Bernabeu J, Vilaplana J, Roca X, Bautista P, Guydish J, Martínez C. Tobacco cessation among smokers under substance use treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis: study protocol and pilot study. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:66. [PMID: 36451226 PMCID: PMC9709380 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00348-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 80% of people with a substance use disorder (SUD) are smokers. Starting SUD treatment offers the opportunity to also quit smoking. The ACT-ATAC project aims to identify the predictors associated with smoking cessation among persons treated for alcohol and/or cannabis use disorder in Barcelona. This manuscript reports its methodology and the experience of carrying it out during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Mixed methods project with three substudies. Substudy 1 (S1) comprises heterogeneous discussion groups among clinicians. S2 has two prospective cohorts composed of smokers under treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use disorder and the clinicians in charge of these patients. Participating smokers will be followed for 12 months and interviewed about their substance use and the tobacco cessation services received using the Spanish version of the users' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Services (S-KAS) scale. The clinicians will be asked about their self-reported practices in smoking cessation using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (S-KAP) scale. S3 comprises heterogeneous discussion groups with smokers. Data will be triangulated using qualitative and quantitative analyses. To facilitate the recruitment process, the researchers have introduced several strategies (design clear protocols, set monthly online meetings, extend the project, provide gift cards, etc.). DISCUSSION The results of S1 were used to develop the questionnaires. S2 required some adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the follow-up interviews being conducted by phone instead of face-to-face, and the recruitment rhythm was lower than expected. Recruitment will last until reaching at least 200-250 users. The fieldwork could not have been possible without the collaboration of the ACT-ATAC team and the introduction of several strategies. Trial registration The ACT-ATAC project has been successfully registered at Clinicaltrials.gov [NCT04841655].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Feliu
- grid.418701.b0000 0001 2097 8389Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512891.6CIBER en Enfermedades Respiratorias, CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esteve Fernández
- grid.418701.b0000 0001 2097 8389Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512891.6CIBER en Enfermedades Respiratorias, CIBERES), Madrid, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Clinical Sciences. School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Castellano
- grid.418701.b0000 0001 2097 8389Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512891.6CIBER en Enfermedades Respiratorias, CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Enríquez
- grid.418701.b0000 0001 2097 8389Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Saura
- grid.418701.b0000 0001 2097 8389Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Public Health, Maternal Health and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Cabezas
- grid.454735.40000000123317762Government of Catalonia, Public Health Secretariat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Colom
- grid.500777.2Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M. Suelves
- grid.500777.2Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.36083.3e0000 0001 2171 6620Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Margarida Pla
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Public Health, Maternal Health and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Parejo
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Public Health, Maternal Health and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Mondon
- grid.410458.c0000 0000 9635 9413Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Barrio
- grid.410458.c0000 0000 9635 9413Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magalí Andreu
- grid.410458.c0000 0000 9635 9413Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonia Raich
- grid.488391.f0000 0004 0426 7378Mental Health Department, Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària, Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bernabeu
- grid.488391.f0000 0004 0426 7378Mental Health Department, Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària, Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Vilaplana
- grid.15043.330000 0001 2163 1432Serra Húnter Fellow, Computer Science Department, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Xavier Roca
- grid.413396.a0000 0004 1768 8905Addictive Behaviors Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital de La Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Bautista
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Public Health, Maternal Health and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joseph Guydish
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Cristina Martínez
- grid.418701.b0000 0001 2097 8389Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512891.6CIBER en Enfermedades Respiratorias, CIBERES), Madrid, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Public Health, Maternal Health and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
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Barré T, Ramier C, Mounir I, Renaud D, Menvielle L, Marcellin F, Carrieri P, Protopopescu C, Cherikh F. Examining the Relationships between Mindfulness and Tobacco Craving Factors. Subst Use Misuse 2021; 57:656-659. [PMID: 34958288 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.2019782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relationships between mindfulness and general craving have been documented. However, there is still no data regarding relationships between mindfulness and the different craving factors. METHODS Using data from an online survey among hospital workers smoking tobacco in France (n = 127), we performed linear regression models with the four craving factors as outcomes, and dispositional mindfulness as explanatory variable. RESULTS After adjusting for nicotine dependence, mindfulness was negatively associated with general craving and three out of four craving factors (emotionality, compulsivity and purposefulness, but not expectancy). CONCLUSIONS These results support the implementation of mindfulness-based interventions in the context of tobacco cessation attempt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangui Barré
- Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Clémence Ramier
- Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Izza Mounir
- Addictology Unit, University Hospital of Nice, Nice, France
| | - David Renaud
- Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Institut Claude Pompidou, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | | | - Fabienne Marcellin
- Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Camelia Protopopescu
- Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Faredj Cherikh
- Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
- Addictology Unit, University Hospital of Nice, Nice, France
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22
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Li MT, Zhang J, Zhang DC, Che QQ, Liu ZL, Yang PW, Luo XW, Cai TS. Development and Psychometric Properties of the Synthetic Drug Dependence Scale in a Chinese Sample. Front Psychol 2021; 12:717029. [PMID: 34764905 PMCID: PMC8576389 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.717029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: In contrast to the drug situation in the rest of the world, synthetic drugs, rather than traditional drugs, have been the dominant abused drugs in China since 2019. However, the public misconception that synthetic drugs are not as addictive as traditional drugs, such as opioids and the scarcity of specific measurement instruments, have hindered the clinical diagnosis and treatment of synthetic drug abusers, thus the development of a localized instrument to evaluate dependence on synthetic drugs is in urgently needed. Method: Using a sample of 618 Chinese synthetic drug abusers (Mean age = 34.69 years; 44.17% female), the present study developed and examined the psychometric properties of a self-reporting instrument, the Synthetic Drug Dependence Scale (SDDS), which consists of four subscales: physical dependence, psychological dependence, health injury, and social function injury. Results: The SDDS revealed a three-factor model structure (weighted root mean square residual (WRMR) = 0.876, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.965, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.953, and Root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.070), with good internal consistency (composite reliability = 0.912, alfa = 0.801) and convergent validity. Elevated scores on the SDDS were associated with a higher level of reward sensitivity, punishment sensitivity, and stronger impulsivity. Interestingly, psychological dependence was the only significant predictor (p < 0.05) of criterion variables compared with the other three subscales, implying the important role of psychological factors in synthetic drugs dependence. Adequate measurement equivalence across sex, age (18–30 and 31–57 years old), and employment group (employed and unemployed) was also established. Conclusion: The SDDS appears to be an effective and reliable instrument that could be used to further investigate the characteristics of synthetic and traditional drug dependence, promoting a deeper understanding of the physical and psychological roles in drug dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ting Li
- The Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Corrective Education, Hunan Judicial Police Vocational College, Changsha, China
| | - Dong-Cheng Zhang
- School of Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing-Qing Che
- The Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ze-Lan Liu
- The Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pei-Wen Yang
- The Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin-Wei Luo
- The Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tai-Sheng Cai
- The Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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23
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Steeger CM, Hitchcock LN, Bryan AD, Hutchison KE, Hill KG, Bidwell LC. Associations between self-reported cannabis use frequency, potency, and cannabis/health metrics. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 97:103278. [PMID: 34062287 PMCID: PMC8585676 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research shows that cannabis use frequency is associated with cannabis dependence and health metrics. However, much less is known about how self-reported cannabis potency (THC and CBD) may be associated with the same metrics, and whether any associations exist after accounting for frequency of cannabis use. Moreover, even less is known about how these relations may differ across cannabis product forms. This exploratory study examined 1) associations between cannabis frequency, potency, and cannabis/health metrics, and 2) whether associations between potency and cannabis/health metrics remained after controlling for frequency of use. METHODS Using a sample of adult recreational cannabis users in Colorado (N = 300), we tested the relationship between self-reported cannabis use metrics of frequency and potency of flower, edible, and concentrate products with separate measures of problematic cannabis use (i.e., dependence, withdrawal, craving), depression, anxiety, and general perceived health. RESULTS Greater frequency of flower and concentrate (but not edible) use were associated with greater problematic cannabis use, and greater concentrate use frequency was also associated with more mental health problems. Partial correlations controlling for average frequency of use across all product forms and CBD potency per product showed that one significant association between THC potency and cannabis/health metrics remained (i.e., higher THC concentrate potency with better health), and one emerged (i.e., higher THC concentrate potency with lower cannabis withdrawal). CONCLUSIONS Frequency of use is reliably associated with problematic cannabis use for flower and concentrates, but it did not account for all observed associations in this study. Differences in patterns of associations between frequency and potency and cannabis/health metrics across cannabis forms suggest a need for better understanding user reports of THC and CBD potency, individual differences among users, and improved measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Steeger
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 1440 15th St., Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Leah N Hitchcock
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 344 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Angela D Bryan
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 344 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Kent E Hutchison
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 344 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Karl G Hill
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 1440 15th St., Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - L Cinnamon Bidwell
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 344 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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24
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Roydhouse JK, Floden L, Tomko RL, Gray KM, Bell ML. The estimand framework and its application in substance use disorder clinical trials: a case study. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2021; 47:658-663. [PMID: 34702088 PMCID: PMC10124131 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1976199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Relapse rates among individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) remain high and new treatment approaches are needed, which require evaluation in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Measurement and interpretation challenges for SUD RCT data are often ignored or presented only in statistical analysis plans. Since different analytic approaches may result in different estimates and thus interpretations of the treatment effect, it is important to present this clearly throughout the trial. Inconsistencies between study analyses and objectives present further challenges for interpretation and cross-study comparisons. The recent International Council for Harmonization (ICH) addendum provides standardized language and a common framework for aligning trial objectives, design, conduct, and analysis. The framework focuses on estimands, which describe the treatment effect and link the trial objective with the scientific question and the analytic approach. The use of estimands offers SUD researchers and clinicians the opportunity to explicitly address events that affect measurement and interpretation at the outset of the trial. Furthermore, the use of standard terminology can lead to clearer interpretations of SUD trials and the treatments evaluated in SUD trials. Resources for understanding and applying estimands are needed to optimize the use of this new, helpful framework. This Perspective provides this resource for SUD researchers. Specifically, it highlights the relevance of estimands for SUD trials. Furthermore, it demonstrates how estimands can be used to develop clinically relevant analyses to address challenges in SUD trials. It also shows how a standardized framework can be employed to improve the interpretation and presentation of SUD study findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K Roydhouse
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.,Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Rachel L Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kevin M Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Melanie L Bell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
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Xu S, Zhang K, Luo T. Development of the Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale for methamphetamine abusers in China. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 227:108992. [PMID: 34482042 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relapse to Methamphetamine (MA) use is among the public concerns nowadays, which result in adverse outcomes associated with physical and mental health problems. This study aimed to develop the Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale (RRAS) for Chinese MA abusers. METHOD A sample of 438 MA abusers aged between 17 and 58 years (M ± SD age = 34.08 ± 8.61 years) in compulsory detoxification institutes were randomly divided into sub-sample 1 (n = 223) and sub-sample 2 (n = 215) for conducting exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis respectively. RESULTS Compared four-factor model with 19 items and three-factor model with 16 items using principal axis factoring, the three-factor solution showed better model fit. Three factors were identified in RRAS: Craving for MA, Social Recognition, and Attitude towards MA which accounted for 50.06 % of the variance in total. The results of confirmation factor analysis demonstrated good model fits (CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.050; GFI = 0.92). The internal consistency analysis indicated that the three-factor model had satisfactory reliability with Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.71 to 0.88 for different factors. Overall, the results showed that the RRAS had good construct validity and satisfactory reliability, suggesting that it was a good instrument for measuring the relapse of MA. CONCLUSIONS The RRAS with good psychometric properties provides a promising future for developing effective relapse prevention programs for MA abusers in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Xu
- Department of Social Work, East China University of Political Science & Law, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Social Work, East China University of Political Science & Law, China
| | - Tingyu Luo
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Opozda-Suder S, Karteczka-Świętek K, Piasecka M. Psychometric properties and longitudinal measurement invariance of the drug craving scale: Modification of the Polish version of the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256018. [PMID: 34495966 PMCID: PMC8425527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) is an instrument with good psychometric properties that is widely used to assess alcohol craving. Based on the assumption that the experience of craving is independent of substance type, the Polish version of the PACS was modified to measure drug craving, thus creating the Penn Drug Craving Scale (PDCS). The analyses presented in the paper aim to verify the hypothesis that the PDCS has a unidimensional structure, is highly reliable and features longitudinal measurement invariance. Methods The research was conducted in 14 inpatient and 13 outpatient randomly selected facilities that provide psychosocial therapy to people with substance use disorder (SUD) in Poland, during June 2018 –July 2019. The data used for the analyses came from 282 patients diagnosed on the basis of ICD-10 criteria (F11.2-F19.2). The paper presents analyses with the application of: [1] confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) conducted on the basis of a polychoric correlation matrix and the WLSMV estimator; [2] a reliability estimate using Cronbach’s alpha and coefficient omega; [3] verification of longitudinal measurement invariance between the beginning and end of therapy; [4] evaluation of criterion validity; [5] normalisation of the raw scores. Results The CFA results confirmed a unidimensional PDCS structure (RMSEA = 0.047, 95% CI: 0.000–0.103; CFI = 0.999; TLI = 0.999) and a high reliability of the scale (ω = 0.93). Moreover, a strict longitudinal measurement invariance of the instrument was confirmed. Conclusions Accurate assessment of craving is possible only with valid and reliable instruments. Therefore, the psychometric properties of the PDCS were verified based on the latest statistical approaches. The scale is a valid and highly reliable tool featuring longitudinal measurement invariance and can be usefully used for research and clinical purposes. Thus, the Polish version of the PACS has been modified and successfully applied to the population of people with SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Opozda-Suder
- Institute of Education, Faculty of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Kinga Karteczka-Świętek
- Institute of Education, Faculty of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Piasecka
- Institute of Education, Faculty of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
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Sempio C, Bidwell C, Hutchison K, Huestis MA, Klawitter J, Christians U, Henthorn TK. Using Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Estimate Exposure to Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in an Observational Study of Cannabis Smokers in Colorado. Ther Drug Monit 2021; 43:536-545. [PMID: 33656464 PMCID: PMC8607734 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-report questionnaires, weighing products consumed, and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) biomarkers are established techniques for estimating cannabis exposure. Population pharmacokinetic modeling of plasma THC and metabolite concentrations by incorporating self-reported and weighed products as covariates could improve estimates of THC exposure in regular cannabis users. METHODS In this naturalistic study, blood samples were obtained from 36 regular smokers of cannabis for analysis of THC and its 2 metabolites at 4 time points: recruitment and during an experimental mobile laboratory assessment that included 3 time points: before, immediately after, and 1 hour after ad libitum legal market flower use. These data were analyzed using an established model of population pharmacokinetics developed from laboratory-controlled cannabis administration data. Elimination and metabolite production clearances were estimated for each subject as well as their daily THC doses and the dose consumed during the ad libitum event. RESULTS A statistically significant correlation existed between the daily THC dose estimated by self-report questionnaire and population pharmacokinetic modeling (correlation coefficient = 0.79, P < 0.05) between the weighed cannabis smoked ad libitum and that estimated by population pharmacokinetic modeling (correlation coefficient = 0.71, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Inclusion of self-reported questionnaire data of THC consumption improved pharmacokinetic model-derived estimates based on measured THC and metabolite concentrations. In addition, the pharmacokinetic-derived dose estimates for the ad libitum smoking event underestimated the THC consumption compared with the weighed amount smoked. Thus, the subjects in this study, who smoked ad libitum and used cannabis products with high concentrations of THC, were less efficient (lower bioavailability) compared with computer-paced smokers of low potency, NIDA cannabis in a laboratory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Sempio
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cinnamon Bidwell
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Kent Hutchison
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Jost Klawitter
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Uwe Christians
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Thomas K. Henthorn
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Bahji A, Meyyappan AC, Hawken ER, Tibbo PG. Pharmacotherapies for cannabis use disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 97:103295. [PMID: 34062288 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the efficacy and acceptability of pharmacotherapies for cannabis use disorder (CUD). METHODS We conducted a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis, searching five electronic databases for randomized placebo-controlled trials of individuals diagnosed with CUD receiving pharmacotherapy with or without concomitant psychotherapy. Primary outcomes were the reduction in cannabis use and retention in treatment. Secondary outcomes were adverse events, discontinuation due to adverse events, total abstinence, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and CUD severity. We applied a frequentist, random-effects Network Meta-Analysis model to pool effect sizes across trials using standardized mean differences (SMD, g) and rate ratios (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS We identified a total of 24 trials (n=1912, 74.9% male, mean age 30.2 years). Nabilone (d=-4.47 [-8.15; -0.79]), topiramate (d=-3.80 [-7.06; -0.54]), and fatty-acid amyl hydroxylase inhibitors (d=-2.30 [-4.75; 0.15]) reduced cannabis use relative to placebo. Dronabinol improved retention in treatment (RR=1.27 [1.02; 1.57]), while topiramate worsened treatment retention (RR=0.62 [0.42; 0.91]). Gabapentin reduced cannabis cravings (d=-2.42 [-3.53; -1.32], while vilazodone worsened craving severity (d=1.69 [0.71; 2.66]. Buspirone (RR=1.14 [1.00; 1.29]), venlafaxine (RR=1.78 [1.40; 2.26]), and topiramate (RR=9.10 [1.27; 65.11]) caused more adverse events, while topiramate caused more dropouts due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Based on this review, some medications appeared to show promise for treating individual aspects of CUD. However, there is a lack of robust evidence to support any particular pharmacological treatment. There is a need for additional studies to expand the evidence base for CUD pharmacotherapy. While medication strategies may become an integral component for CUD treatment one day, psychosocial interventions should remain the first line given the limitations in the available evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Arthi Chinna Meyyappan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Centre for Neurosciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Emily R Hawken
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Centre for Neurosciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Philip G Tibbo
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Gibson LP, Hitchcock LN, Bryan AD, Bidwell LC. Experience of migraine, its severity, and perceived efficacy of treatments among cannabis users. Complement Ther Med 2020; 56:102619. [PMID: 33227352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As the legal and cultural landscape surrounding cannabis use in the United States continues to evolve, more Americans are turning to cannabis to self-medicate a number of ailments, including migraines. The purpose of the present study was to examine patterns of cannabis use and its associated relief among migraineurs. DESIGN Participants were N = 589 adult cannabis users living in states with full legal access. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed an online survey assessing their cannabis use profiles, migraine experience, and self-reported relief from cannabis and non-cannabis treatments. RESULTS 161 participants (27.3 %) reported experiencing migraines. 76.4 % of migraineurs (N = 123) endorsed using cannabis to treat their migraines. 69.9 % (N = 86) of migraineurs using cannabis for migraine relief also endorsed using non-cannabis products (e.g., over-the-counter pain medication, triptans) to treat their migraines. Although their subjective health was similar (p = .17), migraineurs who endorsed using cannabis to treat their migraines reported more severe migraines compared to those who did not (p = .02). Migraineurs reported significantly more migraine relief from cannabis compared to non-cannabis products, even after controlling for migraine severity (p = .03). The majority of migraineurs using cannabis to treat their migraines were not medical cardholders (65.0 %), suggesting that these individuals were self-medicating in lieu of physician guidance. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides insight into the prevalence of cannabis use for migraine relief in a sample of cannabis users, and suggests that these migraineurs experience a high level of migraine relief from cannabis. Future studies are needed to determine the cannabis forms, potencies, and dosages that are most effective at treating migraine pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel P Gibson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Leah N Hitchcock
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Angela D Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - L Cinnamon Bidwell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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Enkema MC, Hallgren KA, Larimer ME. Craving is impermanent and it matters: Investigating craving and cannabis use among young adults with problematic use interested in reducing use. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 210:107957. [PMID: 32200158 PMCID: PMC7360486 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rates of problematic cannabis use have nearly doubled over the last decade, and peak onset for cannabis use disorders occurs during young adulthood. Craving for cannabis is hypothesized to be an important factor that maintains cannabis use among people who desire to stop or reduce their use, including many young adults. Previous studies that used single timepoint assessment methods to demonstrate a link between craving and cannabis use have found mixed predictive utility of measurements. The impermanent, or time-varying nature of craving may be responsible for mixed findings, leading to inaccuracies in retrospective recall and greater difficulty measuring craving and detecting its association with cannabis use. The current study compared intensive longitudinal assessments and single timepoint assessments predicting cannabis use among young adults with problematic cannabis use who reported a desire to reduce their use. Participants (N = 80) completed a baseline craving questionnaire and intensive longitudinal assessments of momentary craving and cannabis use up to four times per day for 14 days. Results suggested that averaged momentary craving predicted cannabis use above-and-beyond craving measured at baseline. An increase of one SD above the sample-mean for averaged momentary craving increased the probability of cannabis use by 367 %, while a one SD increase in baseline craving was only associated with a 49 % increase. Findings suggest that asking young adults who want to cut back on their cannabis use about their craving at a single timepoint may not be as clinically useful as tracking cravings repeatedly in near real-time and in ecologically valid contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Enkema
- Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Box 354944, 1100 NE 45th St, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98105, United States.
| | - Kevin A Hallgren
- Behavioral Research in Technology and Engineering (BRiTE) Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Box 356560, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
| | - Mary E Larimer
- Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Box 354944, 1100 NE 45th St, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98105, United States.
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Habelt B, Arvaneh M, Bernhardt N, Minev I. Biomarkers and neuromodulation techniques in substance use disorders. Bioelectron Med 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 32232112 PMCID: PMC7098236 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-020-0040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Addictive disorders are a severe health concern. Conventional therapies have just moderate success and the probability of relapse after treatment remains high. Brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), have been shown to be effective in reducing subjectively rated substance craving. However, there are few objective and measurable parameters that reflect neural mechanisms of addictive disorders and relapse. Key electrophysiological features that characterize substance related changes in neural processing are Event-Related Potentials (ERP). These high temporal resolution measurements of brain activity are able to identify neurocognitive correlates of addictive behaviours. Moreover, ERP have shown utility as biomarkers to predict treatment outcome and relapse probability. A future direction for the treatment of addiction might include neural interfaces able to detect addiction-related neurophysiological parameters and deploy neuromodulation adapted to the identified pathological features in a closed-loop fashion. Such systems may go beyond electrical recording and stimulation to employ sensing and neuromodulation in the pharmacological domain as well as advanced signal analysis and machine learning algorithms. In this review, we describe the state-of-the-art in the treatment of addictive disorders with electrical brain stimulation and its effect on addiction-related neurophysiological markers. We discuss advanced signal processing approaches and multi-modal neural interfaces as building blocks in future bioelectronics systems for treatment of addictive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Habelt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mahnaz Arvaneh
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ivan Minev
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Dowd AN, Motschman CA, Tiffany ST. Development and Validation of the Questionnaire of Vaping Craving. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 21:63-70. [PMID: 29546379 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Craving may represent core motivational processes in tobacco dependence, but there is no psychometrically evaluated measure of craving for e-cigarettes (vaping craving). This research developed and validated a brief measure of vaping craving. Methods The measure was evaluated in two studies. In Study 1, a 42-item questionnaire assessing a wide range of vaping craving content was administered to 209 current e-cigarette users. In Study 2, a 10-item questionnaire derived from Study 1 results was administered to 224 current e-cigarette users. Participants were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk, an online labor market. Results Principal factor analysis identified the strongest loading items (.815-.867) on the first extracted factor (77% of the factor variance) for inclusion in a 10-item Questionnaire of Vaping Craving (QVC). This item set, with an internal consistency (α) of .97, focused on desire and intent to vape, and anticipation of positive outcomes related to e-cigarette use. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the items had strong factor loadings that were significantly predicted by the latent vaping craving construct (ps < .001). Higher vaping craving was significantly associated with the level of e-cigarette use, greater negative mood, and lower confidence in ability to quit vaping (ps < .01). Among participants who also smoked tobacco (87%), vaping craving was more strongly associated with e-cigarette dependence than tobacco dependence. Conclusions The findings support the reliability and validity of the QVC and suggest it could be used in laboratory and clinical settings as a psychometrically sound measure of vaping craving. Implications This study is the first reporting the development and validation of a brief, practical, multi-item measure to assess vaping craving. This psychometrically sound assessment for vaping craving could improve understanding of the nature of vaping craving, advance current tobacco cessation strategies, and increase users' ability to cope with craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Dowd
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, NY
| | - Courtney A Motschman
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, NY
| | - Stephen T Tiffany
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, NY
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Liu S, Tu D, Cai Y. Development and Validation of an Item Bank for Drug Dependence Measurement Using Computer Adaptive Testing. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:2291-2304. [PMID: 32772651 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1801743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Currently, measurement tools to assess patient-reported outcomes for drug dependence are limited in their latent trait to adapt to the needs of individual patients while also maintaining comparability of scores across patients. Purpose/Objectives: To develop an item bank for computer adaptive testing (CAT) to measure severity of drug dependence. Methods: There were four phases: (1) review the literature of drug dependence measurement; (2) formulate an item list to be assessed by experts; (3) pretest our item list in two substance dependence treatment centers; and (4) field-test and conduct psychometric performance analysis with the final item bank. Additionally, based on our response data, a CAT simulation was used to validate the item bank, Drug Dependence CAT (DD-CAT). Results: The final drug dependence item bank - with a unidimensional configuration - contained 56 items with good item-fit, high discrimination, no differential item functioning, and covered all symptoms of diagnostic criteria for drug dependence. These results revealed that the final item bank was of good quality. Additionally, the results of a simulation CAT procedure with real response data indicated that the DD-CAT item bank exhibited acceptable and reasonable test reliability, content validity, and criterion-related validity. Conclusions/Importance: The proposed item bank for DD-CAT contained acceptable reliability and validity, and exhibited a shorter but efficient assessment of drug dependence. These psychometric properties can result in shorter test times, less information loss, and a reduction in the testing burden of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyang Liu
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Dongbo Tu
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yan Cai
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Lintzeris N, Bhardwaj A, Mills L, Dunlop A, Copeland J, McGregor I, Bruno R, Gugusheff J, Phung N, Montebello M, Chan T, Kirby A, Hall M, Jefferies M, Luksza J, Shanahan M, Kevin R, Allsop D. Nabiximols for the Treatment of Cannabis Dependence: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med 2019; 179:1242-1253. [PMID: 31305874 PMCID: PMC6632121 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE There are no effective medications for treating dependence on cannabis. OBJECTIVE To examine the safety and efficacy of nabiximols in the treatment of patients with cannabis dependence. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This parallel double-blind randomized clinical trial comparing nabiximols with placebo in a 12-week, multisite outpatient study recruited participants from February 3, 2016, to June 14, 2017, at 4 outpatient specialist alcohol and drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia. Participants had cannabis dependence (as defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision) and were seeking treatment, were nonresponsive to prior treatment attempts, were 18 to 64 years of age, had no other substance use disorder, had no severe medical or psychiatric conditions, were not pregnant, were not mandated by a court to undergo treatment, and provided informed consent. Results for primary efficacy measures and all secondary outcomes were obtained using a modified intention-to-treat data set. INTERVENTIONS Participants received 12-week treatment involving weekly clinical reviews, structured counseling, and flexible medication doses-up to 32 sprays daily (tetrahydrocannabinol, 86.4 mg, and cannabidiol, 80 mg), dispensed weekly. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcome was self-reported number of days using illicit cannabis during the 12-week period. Other outcomes included alternate cannabis use parameters (periods of abstinence, withdrawal, cravings, and problems), safety parameters (adverse events and aberrant medication use), health status, other substance use, and treatment retention. RESULTS A total of 128 participants (30 women and 98 men; mean [SD] age, 35.0 [10.9] years) were randomized and received at least 1 dose of study medication. Participants had used a mean (SD) of 2.3 (2.1) g of cannabis on a mean (SD) of 25.7 (4.5) days in the past 28 days. Treatment retention was comparable for the 2 groups (placebo, 30 of 67 participants [44.8%]; nabiximols, 30 of 61 participants [49.2%]), and both groups used similar mean (SD) doses (placebo, 18.5 [9.5] sprays daily; nabiximols, 17.6 [9.5] sprays daily, equivalent to a mean [SD] of 47.5 [25.7] mg of tetrahydrocannabinol and 44.0 [23.8] mg of cannabidiol). For the primary end point, the placebo group reported significantly more days using cannabis during the 12 weeks (mean [SD], 53.1 [33.0] days) than the nabiximols group (mean [SD], 35.0 [32.4] days; estimated difference, 18.6 days; 95% CI, 3.5-33.7 days; P = .02). Both groups showed comparable improvements in health status, with no substantial changes in other substance use. Medication was well tolerated with few adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study demonstrates that cannabinoid agonist treatment, in this case using nabiximols, in combination with psychosocial interventions is a safe approach for reducing cannabis use among individuals with cannabis dependence who are seeking treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12616000103460.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Lintzeris
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline Addiction Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anjali Bhardwaj
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline Addiction Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Llewellyn Mills
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline Addiction Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrian Dunlop
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jan Copeland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Iain McGregor
- Lambert Initiative Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Raimondo Bruno
- School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jessica Gugusheff
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline Addiction Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nghi Phung
- Drug Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Montebello
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Therese Chan
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrienne Kirby
- National Health and Medical Research Council, Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Hall
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Meryem Jefferies
- Drug Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer Luksza
- Drug Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marian Shanahan
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard Kevin
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Allsop
- Lambert Initiative Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Dakwar E, Mahony A, Choi CJ, Pavlicova M, Brooks D, Mariani JP, Levin FR. Guanfacine extended-release for cannabis use disorder: a pilot feasibility trial. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2019; 46:44-48. [PMID: 31339797 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2019.1620259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Currently, there are no established pharmacotherapies for cannabis use disorders (CUDs). As a long-acting alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist, guanfacine extended-release (G-XR) could be useful in the treatment of CUDs by mitigating withdrawal and improving behavioral control.Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and tolerability of G-XR as a treatment for CUDs.Methods: In an eight-week open-label outpatient pilot trial, we evaluated the safety and tolerability of G-XR in 22 cannabis dependent individuals. Using 2 different titration schedules, G-XR was gradually titrated to a dose of 4 mg or the highest dose tolerated. All participants received standard medication management.Results: Retention at week eight was 41%. Average daily amount of cannabis use (in grams: F1,86 = 8.74, p = .004; in dollars: F1,86 = 16.67, p < .0001) and cannabis using days (F1,86 = 7.67, p = .007) significantly reduced over the course of study participation. There were no significant differences between the titration schedules on emergence of side effects (Fisher exact test, p = .378) or retention (Log-Rank Test X21 = 0.021, p = .886). A total of 3 participants achieved 3 weeks or greater of total abstinence.Conclusions: G-XR is a feasible treatment for CUDs, and should be evaluated further in an efficacy trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Dakwar
- Division on Substance use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amy Mahony
- Division on Substance use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Jean Choi
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Biostatistics, New York, USA
| | - Martina Pavlicova
- Mailman School of Public Health, Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Brooks
- Division on Substance use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John P Mariani
- Division on Substance use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frances R Levin
- Division on Substance use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 181:86-92. [PMID: 31082417 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As long-term use of medicinal and recreational cannabis becomes more common and concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis increase, it is timely to identify strategies to counteract the cognitive effects of cannabinoids. OBJECTIVE Galantamine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of galantamine administration to individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD), and the effects of galantamine on cognition. We hypothesized galantamine would be well tolerated and would not have procognitive effects in the absence of acute cannabis intoxication. METHODS Thirty individuals with CUD (73.5% male, 26.5% female) participated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial. Participants completed a baseline session followed by a 10-day outpatient treatment period, during which they received either 8 mg/day of galantamine orally or placebo. Cognitive assessments were conducted at three time points and self-reported measures that may impact cognitive performance (cannabis withdrawal, craving, and mood) were completed at six time points. RESULTS There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline variables between groups (galantamine vs. placebo). There were no significant adverse effects from galantamine. Cannabis withdrawal and craving continuously decreased over the study. We saw evidence of a modest improvement in cognitive outcomes during the 10-day period, exemplified by a statistically significant increase in measures of response inhibition (increased median reaction time on the Stop Signal Task), and a trend for improvement in measures of attention (increased RVP A'), for both groups. Analyses did not show, however, a significant main effect for treatment or treatment-by-time interactions. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this pilot study support the feasibility of the administration of galantamine for individuals with CUD. Adequately powered, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are required to investigate the potential of galantamine to improve cognitive deficits associated with CUD.
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Montgomery L, McClure EA, Tomko RL, Sonne SC, Winhusen T, Terry GE, Grossman JT, Gray KM. Blunts versus joints: Cannabis use characteristics and consequences among treatment-seeking adults. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 198:105-111. [PMID: 30901744 PMCID: PMC6467739 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the high prevalence of blunt smoking among cannabis users, very few studies examine the clinical profile of blunt smokers relative to those using more common methods of cannabis use, such as joints. METHODS The current study uses baseline data from the ACCENT (Achieving Cannabis Cessation-Evaluating N-acetylcysteine Treatment) study, a multi-site randomized pharmacotherapy clinical trial within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network, to predict the association between blunt and joint use frequency and cannabis use characteristics (e.g., grams of cannabis used) and consequences (e.g., withdrawal) among past-month cannabis users (N = 377) who were screened for study participation. RESULTS After controlling for race, age, gender, other forms of cannabis use (including joint use) and nicotine dependence, multivariable linear regression models indicated that the number of days of blunt use in the past month was a significant predictor of the average amount of cannabis per using day (t = 3.04, p < .01), the estimated average cost of cannabis (t = 2.28, p < .05) and Cannabis Withdrawal Scale scores (t = 1.94, p < .05). Frequency of joint use did not significantly predict any of the cannabis use characteristics or consequences. CONCLUSIONS Blunt smokers may present to treatment with greater amounts of cannabis smoked and more intense withdrawal symptoms, which may adversely impact their likelihood of successful abstinence. Cannabis-dependent blunt smokers may be more likely to benefit from treatment that targets physiological and mood-related withdrawal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaTrice Montgomery
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3131 Harvey Avenue, Suite 104, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | - Erin A. McClure
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, MSC861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Rachel L. Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, MSC861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Susan C. Sonne
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, MSC861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Theresa Winhusen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3131 Harvey Avenue, Suite 104, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Garth E. Terry
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Jason T. Grossman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles; Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
| | - Kevin M. Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, MSC861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Hefner KR, Starr MJ, Curtin JJ. Heavy marijuana use but not deprivation is associated with increased stressor reactivity. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 127:348-358. [PMID: 29745700 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Although stressors appear to motivate marijuana use, and marijuana use, in turn, is believed to induce stress system neuroadaptations, relatively little empirical work has explicitly tested for stress neuroadaptations associated with heavy marijuana use. We examined stressor reactivity to threat of unpredictable electric shock via startle potentiation among heavy marijuana users and a control group that reported minimal history of marijuana use. Heavy marijuana users were randomly assigned to 3 days of marijuana deprivation or no deprivation. This design allowed us to test contrasts for heavy (vs. minimal) use and deprivation (vs. no deprivation) on stressor reactivity. Heavy marijuana users (both deprived and nondeprived) displayed increased startle potentiation during threat of unpredictable electric shock relative to minimal use controls. In contrast, marijuana deprivation had no effect on startle potentiation. Startle potentiation was also increased among users who reported greater stress-coping motives for their marijuana use and users with cannabis use disorder diagnoses. To our knowledge, this is the 1st study to demonstrate increased reactivity to unpredictable stressors among heavy marijuana users. However, comparable increased unpredictable stressor reactivity among patients with alcohol and other substance use disorders has been previously documented. This relationship to heavy marijuana use is consistent with predictions from rodent addiction models regarding stress neuroadaptations following heavy, chronic drug use but could also represent an etiologically relevant premorbid risk characteristic. Finally, the clinical import of unpredictable stressor reactivity is reinforced by its relationships with stress-coping motives and cannabis use disorder status. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark J Starr
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - John J Curtin
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Alcorn JL, Marks KR, Stoops WW, Rush CR, Lile JA. Attentional bias to cannabis cues in cannabis users but not cocaine users. Addict Behav 2019; 88:129-136. [PMID: 30176501 PMCID: PMC6191321 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Attentional bias to drug cues has been associated with the problematic use of drugs, including cannabis. The cognitive mechanisms underlying this bias are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cannabis-cue attentional bias is associated with disruptions in attentional processing. To this end, a novel cannabis-cue visual probe task that incorporated eye tracking technology and attention-based metrics derived from signal detection theory was administered to seventeen individuals who reported daily/near-daily cannabis use. Seventeen individuals with cocaine use disorder were also enrolled as a clinical-control group. Cannabis and neutral images were briefly presented side-by-side on a computer screen, followed by the appearance of a "go" or "no-go" target upon offset of both images to permit assessment of attention-based performance. Cannabis users exhibited attentional bias to cannabis cues, as measured by fixation time and response time, but not cue-dependent disruptions on subsequent attentional performance. Cocaine users did not display an attentional bias to cannabis cues but did display poorer attentional performance relative to cannabis users. These results indicate that attentional bias to cannabis cues is selective to cannabis use history and not associated with impaired attentional processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Alcorn
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA
| | - Katherine R Marks
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA
| | - William W Stoops
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, 106-B Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 3470 Blazer Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40509-1810, USA
| | - Craig R Rush
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, 106-B Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 3470 Blazer Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40509-1810, USA
| | - Joshua A Lile
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, 106-B Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 3470 Blazer Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40509-1810, USA.
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McClure EA, Baker NL, Sonne SC, Ghitza UE, Tomko RL, Montgomery L, Babalonis S, Terry GE, Gray KM. Tobacco use during cannabis cessation: Use patterns and impact on abstinence in a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 192:59-66. [PMID: 30218864 PMCID: PMC6200636 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is common for cannabis users to also use tobacco. While data suggest that tobacco users have more difficulty achieving cannabis cessation, secondary analyses of clinical trial data sets may provide insight into the moderating variables contributing to this relationship, as well as changes in tobacco use during cannabis treatment. Those were the aims of this secondary analysis. METHODS The parent study was a multi-site trial of N-acetylcysteine for cannabis dependence conducted within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Participants were treatment-seeking adults (ages 18-50) who met criteria for cannabis dependence (N = 302). For cigarette smokers (n = 117), tobacco use was assessed via timeline follow-back and nicotine dependence was assessed via the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Outcome measures included: 1) changes in tobacco use based on treatment assignment, nicotine dependence, and concurrent cannabis reduction/abstinence, and 2) independent associations between nicotine dependence and cannabis abstinence. RESULTS Cigarette smokers accounted for 39% of the sample (117/302), with a median FTND score of 3.0 (10-point scale). Among those with lower baseline nicotine dependence scores, cigarette smoking was reduced in the active treatment group compared to placebo. Those with moderate/high levels of nicotine dependence showed slight increases in smoking following active treatment. Nicotine dependence did not affect cannabis cessation. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette smoking during cannabis treatment was affected, but depended on baseline nicotine dependence severity, though dependence levels did not impact cannabis abstinence. Interventions that address both tobacco and cannabis are needed, especially due to an increasing prevalence of cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A McClure
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
| | - Nathaniel L Baker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Susan C Sonne
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Udi E Ghitza
- Center for Clinical Trials Network, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Rachel L Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - LaTrice Montgomery
- Addiction Sciences Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Shanna Babalonis
- Department of Behavioral Science and Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Garth E Terry
- Northwest Network Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kevin M Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Wilson SD, Collins RL, Prince MA, Vincent PC. Effects of exercise on experimentally manipulated craving for cannabis: A preliminary study. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 26:456-466. [PMID: 29792472 PMCID: PMC6162100 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, and craving for cannabis is related to cannabis use. Exercise has been demonstrated to reduce craving for substances. To examine the effects of exercise on cannabis craving, we conducted a 3-week within-subject crossover experiment. Young-adult men (n = 35) and women (n = 11), age 18-25 years (M = 20.76, SD = 1.68), who regularly (≥3 times per week) used cannabis participated in a cue exposure paradigm to stimulate craving. After each of three separate craving inductions, they completed a 10-min bout of exercise that varied in intensity (rest, moderate, vigorous). Craving was assessed before and after the induction, immediately following the exercise, and at three 10-min intervals (total of 30 min). Results of condition-specific, repeated measures analyses of variance showed nonsignificant reductions in immediate postexercise craving for the moderate and vigorous conditions. We used latent growth modeling to examine the trajectory of craving rebound during the 30 min following exercise and explored the effect of baseline weekly cannabis use in predicting craving rebound. Within 30 min postexercise, craving rebounded for both the moderate, F(3, 135) = 9.10, p < .01, and vigorous, F(3, 135) = 3.48, p < .05, conditions. We found that among cannabis users reporting larger quantities of typical weekly cannabis use, craving rebounded more quickly following vigorous than moderate exercise, b = 0.02, SE = 0.02, 95% confidence interval [0.00, 0.06]. The findings suggest that moderate exercise may be useful for reducing craving, particularly among those who use larger quantities of cannabis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy D. Wilson
- Doctoral Candidate, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 3435 Main Street, 825 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, New York 14214-8028, Direct phone: 716-829-5623, Fax: 716-829-6040
| | - R. Lorraine Collins
- Professor, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
| | - Mark A. Prince
- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University
| | - Paula C. Vincent
- Research Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
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Bhardwaj AK, Allsop DJ, Copeland J, McGregor IS, Dunlop A, Shanahan M, Bruno R, Phung N, Montebello M, Sadler C, Gugusheff J, Jackson M, Luksza J, Lintzeris N. Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of cannabinoid replacement therapy (Nabiximols) for the management of treatment-resistant cannabis dependent patients: a study protocol. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:140. [PMID: 29776349 PMCID: PMC5960200 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1682-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cannabis extract nabiximols (Sativex®) effectively supresses withdrawal symptoms and cravings in treatment resistant cannabis dependent individuals, who have high relapse rates following conventional withdrawal treatments. This study examines the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of longer-term nabiximols treatment for outpatient cannabis dependent patients who have not responded to previous conventional treatment approaches. METHODS/DESIGN A phase III multi-site outpatient, randomised, double-blinded, placebo controlled parallel design, comparing a 12-week course of nabiximols to placebo, with follow up at 24 weeks after enrolment. Four specialist drug and alcohol outpatient clinics in New South Wales, Australia. One hundred forty-two treatment seeking cannabis dependent adults, with no significant medical, psychiatric or other substance use disorders. Nabiximols is an oromucosal spray prescribed on a flexible dose regimen to a maximum daily dose of 32 sprays; 8 sprays (total 21.6 mg tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 20 mg cannabidiol (CBD)) four times a day, or matching placebo, dispensed weekly. All participants will receive six-sessions of individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and weekly clinical reviews. Primary endpoints are use of non-prescribed cannabis (self-reported cannabis use days, urine toxicology), safety measures (adverse events and abuse liability), and cost effectiveness (incremental cost effectiveness in achieving additional Quality Adjusted Life Years). Secondary outcomes include, improvement in physical and mental health parameters, substance use other than cannabis, cognitive functioning and patient satisfaction measures. DISCUSSION This is the first outpatient community-based randomised controlled study of nabiximols as an agonist replacement medication for treating cannabis dependence, targeting individuals who have not previously responded to conventional treatment approaches. The study and treatment design is modelled upon an earlier study with this population and more generally on other agonist replacement treatments (e.g. nicotine, opioids). TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12616000103460 (Registered 1st February 2016).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali K. Bhardwaj
- Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
- The Langton Centre, Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - David J. Allsop
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Jan Copeland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Iain S. McGregor
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Adrian Dunlop
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Marian Shanahan
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Raimondo Bruno
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS Australia
| | - Nghi Phung
- Centre for Addiction Medicine, Cumberland Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Mark Montebello
- The Langton Centre, Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Craig Sadler
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Jessica Gugusheff
- Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
- The Langton Centre, Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Melissa Jackson
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Jennifer Luksza
- Centre for Addiction Medicine, Cumberland Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Nicholas Lintzeris
- Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
- The Langton Centre, Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW Australia
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Sherman BJ, Baker NL, Squeglia LM, McRae-Clark AL. Approach bias modification for cannabis use disorder: A proof-of-principle study. J Subst Abuse Treat 2018; 87:16-22. [PMID: 29471922 PMCID: PMC5826579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More effective treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) are needed. Evidence suggests that biases in cognitive processing of drug-related stimuli are central to the development and maintenance of addiction. The current study examined the feasibility and effect of a novel intervention - approach bias modification (ApBM) - on cannabis approach bias and cue-reactivity. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled proof-of-principle laboratory experiment investigated the effect of a four-session computerized ApBM training protocol on cannabis approach bias and cue-reactivity in non-treatment seeking adults age 18-65 with CUD (N = 33). ApBM procedures involved responding to cannabis or neutral stimuli using a computer joystick to model approach or avoidance behavior. Reactivity to tactile, olfactory, and auditory cue sets was assessed with physiological (blood pressure and heart rate) and subjective (cannabis craving) measures. Cannabis use was assessed via self-report. RESULTS Participants receiving ApBM showed blunted cannabis cue-induced craving at the end of training compared to those in the sham-ApBM condition (p = .05). A preliminary gender effect on cannabis use was also found; men receiving ApBM reported fewer cannabis use sessions per day at the end of training compared to women (p = .02), while there were no differences between men and women in the sham condition. ApBM did not attenuate cannabis approach bias following training. CONCLUSION Preliminary results indicate that ApBM may be efficacious in reducing cannabis cue-reactivity and improving cannabis use outcomes. While encouraging, the results should be interpreted with caution. Investigation of ApBM as an adjunct to psychosocial treatments for treatment-seeking adults with CUD is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Sherman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Nathaniel L Baker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Cannon Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Lindsay M Squeglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Aimee L McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Whitfield-Gabrieli S, Fischer AS, Henricks AM, Khokhar JY, Roth RM, Brunette MF, Green AI. Understanding marijuana's effects on functional connectivity of the default mode network in patients with schizophrenia and co-occurring cannabis use disorder: A pilot investigation. Schizophr Res 2018; 194:70-77. [PMID: 28823723 PMCID: PMC6886576 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nearly half of patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) have co-occurring cannabis use disorder (CUD), which has been associated with decreased treatment efficacy, increased risk of psychotic relapse, and poor global functioning. While reports on the effects of cannabis on cognitive performance in patients with SCZ have been mixed, study of brain networks related to executive function may clarify the relationship between cannabis use and cognition in these dual-diagnosis patients. In the present pilot study, patients with SCZ and CUD (n=12) and healthy controls (n=12) completed two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) resting scans. Prior to the second scan, patients smoked a 3.6% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis cigarette or ingested a 15mg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pill. We used resting-state functional connectivity to examine the default mode network (DMN) during both scans, as connectivity/activity within this network is negatively correlated with connectivity of the network involved in executive control and shows reduced activity during task performance in normal individuals. At baseline, relative to controls, patients exhibited DMN hyperconnectivity that correlated with positive symptom severity, and reduced anticorrelation between the DMN and the executive control network (ECN). Cannabinoid administration reduced DMN hyperconnectivity and increased DMN-ECN anticorrelation. Moreover, the magnitude of anticorrelation in the controls, and in the patients after cannabinoid administration, positively correlated with WM performance. The finding that DMN brain connectivity is plastic may have implications for future pharmacotherapeutic development, as treatment efficacy could be assessed through the ability of therapies to normalize underlying circuit-level dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Adina S. Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Angela M. Henricks
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Jibran Y. Khokhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Robert M. Roth
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Mary F. Brunette
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Alan I. Green
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.,Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.,Dartmouth Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.,Corresponding Author: Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
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Mood Fluctuation and Psychobiological Instability: The Same Core Functions Are Disrupted by Novel Psychoactive Substances and Established Recreational Drugs. Brain Sci 2018. [PMID: 29533974 PMCID: PMC5870361 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many novel psychoactive substances (NPS) have entered the recreational drug scene in recent years, yet the problems they cause are similar to those found with established drugs. This article will debate the psychobiological effects of these newer and more traditional substances. It will show how they disrupt the same core psychobiological functions, so damaging well-being in similar ways. Every psychoactive drug causes mood states to fluctuate. Users feel better on-drug, then feel worse off-drug. The strength of these mood fluctuations is closely related to their addiction potential. Cyclical changes can occur with many other core psychobiological functions, such as information processing and psychomotor speed. Hence the list of drug-related impairments can include: homeostatic imbalance, HPA axis disruption, increased stress, altered sleep patterns, neurohormonal changes, modified brain rhythms, neurocognitive impairments, and greater psychiatric vulnerability. Similar patterns of deficit are found with older drugs such as cocaine, nicotine and cannabis, and newer substances such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), mephedrone and spice. All psychoactive drugs damage human well-being through similar basic neuropsychobiological mechanisms.
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Tapia G, Perez-Dandieu B, Lenoir H, Othily E, Gray M, Delile JM. Treating addiction with schema therapy and EMDR in women with co-occurring SUD and PTSD: A pilot study. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2017.1378743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Tapia
- Laboratoire de Psychologie, EA 4139, Bordeaux, France
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux France
| | - Béatrice Perez-Dandieu
- Centre d’Etude et d’Information sur les Drogues (CEID), Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Thérapies Familiales et de Traumatismes, Institut Michel Montaigne, Cenon, France
| | - Hugo Lenoir
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux France
| | - Erika Othily
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux France
| | - Marion Gray
- Cluster for Health Improvement, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia
| | - Jean-Michel Delile
- Centre d’Etude et d’Information sur les Drogues (CEID), Bordeaux, France
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Adams TR, Arnsten JH, Ning Y, Nahvi S. Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of Varenicline for Treating Co-Occurring Cannabis and Tobacco Use. J Psychoactive Drugs 2017; 50:12-18. [PMID: 28952897 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1370746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated treatment for co-occurring cannabis and tobacco use. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of varenicline for co-occurring cannabis and tobacco use. Participants who reported cannabis use on ≥5 days per week were recruited from an urban, outpatient opioid treatment program (OTP). Participants were randomized to either four weeks of standard OTP clinical care (SCC; medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and individual behavioral counseling), followed by four weeks of SCC plus varenicline (SCC+VT), or to four weeks of SCC+VT followed by four weeks of SCC. All participants contributed feasibility and outcome data during both study phases. Of 193 persons screened, seven were enrolled. Retention at eight weeks was 100%. No adverse effects prompted varenicline discontinuation. Participants reported lower cannabis craving during the SCC+VT phase compared to baseline, and lower frequencies and quantities of cannabis use compared to both baseline and the SCC alone phase. In the SCC+VT phase, participants also reported fewer cigarettes per day. Among persons with co-occurring cannabis and tobacco use, varenicline is well-tolerated and may reduce cannabis craving, cannabis use, and tobacco use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangeria R Adams
- a PREP Scholar, Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx , NY , USA.,b Graduate Student, Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
| | - Julia H Arnsten
- c Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine and Professor, Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Epidemiology & Population Health , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Yuming Ning
- d Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Shadi Nahvi
- e Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx , NY , USA
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48
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Sahlem GL, Baker NL, George MS, Malcolm RJ, McRae-Clark AL. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) administration to heavy cannabis users. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2017; 44:47-55. [PMID: 28806104 PMCID: PMC5962012 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2017.1355920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a common condition with few treatments. Several studies in other substance use disorders have found that applying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) decreases cue-elicited craving and possibly decreases use. To date, there have been no studies attempting to use rTMS in CUD. OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to determine if rTMS could be feasibly delivered to a group of non-treatment seeking CUD participants. Secondarily, the study aimed to estimate the effect of rTMS on craving. METHODS In a double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover design, a single session of active or sham rTMS (Left DLPFC, 10 Hz, 110% rMT, 4000 pulses) was delivered during a validated cannabis cue paradigm. Participants crossed over to complete the other condition one week later. The feasibility and tolerability were measured by the rate of retention, and the percentage of participants able to tolerate full dose rTMS, respectively. Craving was measured using the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ). RESULTS Eighteen non-treatment seeking CUD participants were recruited from the community; 16 (three women) completed the trial (89% retained for the three study visits). All of the treatment completers tolerated rTMS at full dose without adverse effects. There was not a significant reduction in the total MCQ when participants received active rTMS as compared to sham rTMS. CONCLUSION rTMS can be safely and feasibly delivered to CUD participants, and treatment is well tolerated. A single session of rTMS applied to the DLPFC may not reduce cue-elicited craving in heavy cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L. Sahlem
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Nathaniel L. Baker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Mark S. George
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Robert J. Malcolm
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Aimee L. McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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49
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Cuttler C, Spradlin A, Nusbaum AT, Whitney P, Hinson JM, McLaughlin RJ. Blunted stress reactivity in chronic cannabis users. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:2299-2309. [PMID: 28567696 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4648-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE One of the most commonly cited reasons for chronic cannabis use is to cope with stress. Consistent with this, cannabis users have shown reduced emotional arousal and dampened stress reactivity in response to negative imagery. OBJECTIVES To our knowledge, the present study represents the first to examine the effects of an acute stress manipulation on subjective stress and salivary cortisol in chronic cannabis users compared to non-users. METHODS Forty cannabis users and 42 non-users were randomly assigned to complete either the stress or no stress conditions of the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST). The stress condition of the MAST manipulates both physiological (placing hand in ice bath) and psychosocial stress (performing math under conditions of social evaluation). Participants gave baseline subjective stress ratings before, during, and after the stress manipulation. Cortisol was measured from saliva samples obtained before and after the stress manipulation. Further, cannabis cravings and symptoms of withdrawal were measured. RESULTS Subjective stress ratings and cortisol levels were significantly higher in non-users in the stress condition relative to non-users in the no stress condition. In contrast, cannabis users demonstrated blunted stress reactivity; specifically, they showed no increase in cortisol and a significantly smaller increase in subjective stress ratings. The stress manipulation had no impact on cannabis users' self-reported cravings or withdrawal symptoms. CONCLUSION Chronic cannabis use is associated with blunted stress reactivity. Future research is needed to determine whether this helps to confer resiliency or vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology as well as the mechanisms underlying this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Cuttler
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, PO Box 644820, Pullman, WA, 99164-4820, USA.
- Translational Addiction Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Alexander Spradlin
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, PO Box 644820, Pullman, WA, 99164-4820, USA
| | - Amy T Nusbaum
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, PO Box 644820, Pullman, WA, 99164-4820, USA
| | - Paul Whitney
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, PO Box 644820, Pullman, WA, 99164-4820, USA
| | - John M Hinson
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, PO Box 644820, Pullman, WA, 99164-4820, USA
| | - Ryan J McLaughlin
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, PO Box 644820, Pullman, WA, 99164-4820, USA
- Translational Addiction Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7620, USA
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50
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Parrott AC, Hayley AC, Downey LA. Recreational stimulants, herbal, and spice cannabis: The core psychobiological processes that underlie their damaging effects. Hum Psychopharmacol 2017; 32. [PMID: 28557129 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Recreational drugs are taken for their positive mood effects, yet their regular usage damages well-being. The psychobiological mechanisms underlying these damaging effects will be debated. METHODS The empirical literature on recreational cannabinoids and stimulant drugs is reviewed. A theoretical explanation for how they cause similar types of damage is outlined. RESULTS All psychoactive drugs cause moods and psychological states to fluctuate. The acute mood gains underlie their recreational usage, while the mood deficits on withdrawal explain their addictiveness. Cyclical mood changes are found with every central nervous system stimulant and also occur with cannabis. These mood state changes provide a surface index for more profound psychobiological fluctuations. Homeostatic balance is altered, with repetitive disturbances of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and disrupted cortisol-neurohormonal secretions. Hence, these drugs cause increased stress, disturbed sleep, neurocognitive impairments, altered brain activity, and psychiatric vulnerability. Equivalent deficits occur with novel psychoactive stimulants such as mephedrone and artificial "spice" cannabinoids. These psychobiological fluctuations underlie drug dependency and make cessation difficult. Psychobiological stability and homeostatic balance are optimally restored by quitting psychoactive drugs. CONCLUSIONS Recreational stimulants such as cocaine or MDMA (3.4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and sedative drugs such as cannabis damage human homeostasis and well-being through similar core psychobiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Parrott
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.,Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Amie C Hayley
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Luke A Downey
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.,Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
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